Terrion Arnold feeling comfortable 'all around the field' ahead of Year 3

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Terrion Arnold was one of three players that started opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry at cornerback a season ago. With two of the three moving on from the program, the redshirt sophomore is the second-most experienced player at his position returning from last year’s team, and he seems to be poised to make a significant impact once again.

In the spring and in Saturday’s open practice, Arnold spent most of his time on the boundary at corner with the first-team defense – a position he admitted was new to him after playing safety most of his high school career. But Arnold also got a look in the slot as the Star defensive back in Alabama’s nickel and dime package, and it feels more natural for him not only playing corner but multiple roles in the Crimson Tide secondary ahead of the upcoming season.

“I feel comfortable all around the field now, going into my third year,” Arnold said Thursday. “It’s something that you kind of get used to. I’ve seen a lot, played in a lot of big games, so I would say I feel very comfortable doing both of those things.”

Arnold started six of the first seven games of the season at the cornerback position opposite McKinstry and ended up being named a freshman All-American by the FWAA. But in between those two occurrences, he was replaced in the starting lineup by Eli Ricks, who was the starter for the second half of the season, only missing one game due to injury. With Ricks leaving for the NFL, Arnold has a prime opportunity to reclaim his spot on the first team, but he will have to compete with several other talented corners this preseason for the starting job.

One of those players is Louisiana transfer Trey Amos, who committed to Alabama after spring practice and joined the team earlier this summer. Amos spent the last three seasons with the Ragin’ Cajuns, appearing in 34 career games, and brings experience to a talented but young cornerback room in Tuscaloosa. While he is competing with the transfer portal addition, Arnold was complimentary of what Amos has added to the Crimson Tide defense thus far.

“I would say he’s brought a lot of fire to the group and he’s made us a better group, better secondary,” Arnold said of Amos. “He brings a great toughness to the game, and he’s kind of like the rest of us in the group – he’s a perfectionist. I would say we all gel well together, and we make each other better.”

Arnold may view Amos as the one that brings energy to the practice field every day, but Arnold’s teammates believe the younger defensive back also provides juice for both sides of the ball.

“I love Terrion,” safety Malachi Moore said. “The way he comes to practice every day. He brings a lot of energy, and when I’m down, or I’m tired, I look at T and he picks me up. I pick him up. It’s really like a brotherhood. I like the way that he plays the position. He’s a dog. He comes out there with a ‘I’ma strap you up’ mentality and it’s gonna be play in and play out.”

Added wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks, “Terrion plays with a lot of dog. He’s got that swag. He’s gonna come out swaggin’. Iron is gonna sharpen iron. It’s the same way with Kool-Aid. Kool-Aid, he’s gonna come out and practice hard. That’s just how it goes.”

What Arnold sees from his offensive counterparts

Arnold has had a front-row seat to the Alabama offense’s progress this offseason. The Crimson Tide will have a new starting quarterback with Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner each battling for the position, and the wide receivers they’re throwing to are looking to improve after an inconsistent season last year. Speaking to local reporters ahead of Thursday night’s practice, Arnold shared what he has seen from the quarterbacks and wideouts during camp.

“I’ve seen a lot of great things,” Arnold said. “A lot of great guys and a lot of competition. I would say as far as the quarterbacks-wise, I’ve seen leadership by all the guys. Out of receivers, they have a tenacity and a ferociousness, as far as just wanting to be better and wanting to uphold a standard.”

Arnold was asked specifically about a couple of wideouts, Malik Benson and Isaiah Bond, and the challenges they present. Bond is entering his second year at Alabama after he played in all 13 games last year, while Benson joined the program after two years of junior college. Both of them figure to be featured this fall and, according to Arnold, pose downfield challenges.

“Speed kills,” Arnold said. “All I’ll say is speed kills. It’s just speed, speed, speed with those guys. They make us better, and they really, really push us.”

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