Terrion Arnold Is Ready To Shine Bright On And Off The Field

Last season, the Detroit Lions came within one possession of their first Super Bowl appearance since 1957. Desperate to finish the job this go around, the team parted ways with a third round pick in order to move up five spots in the first round (from 29th to 24th) and address an area of great need.

After finishing the season second-to-last in passing yards per attempt (7.8), the Lions decided to beef up their secondary by adding Terrion Arnold (the SEC leader in interceptions in 2023) with their newly acquired 24th overall pick.

While every position comes with specific duties, the cornerback (CB) spot (Arnold’s position) is something special. Since the days of Deion Sanders, a marquee corner doesn’t just shut down star receivers and turn certain parts of the field into “No Fly Zones.” They exuberate confidence. And not just your run-of-the-mill good-looking guy at the bar confidence. No, no. It’s the kind of confidence that puts an entire press room on notice when they grace it with their presence, the kind that leads these players to challenge the best pass catchers in the sport to a one-on-one showdown, and most importantly (at least for Detroit's sake), the kind that can transform a defense.

It’s still far too early to tell whether or not Arnold is going to be the next great in the Sanders lineage of cornerbacks (although he likes the comparison), but from the insight I gleaned during my interview with him, the indicators are definitely there.

Heading into the NFL, the two receivers he is most eager to defend are Stefon Diggs and his 2024 NFL Draft colleague, Rome Odunze.

Arnold, 21, was just 12 years old when Diggs first entered the NFL. Arnold grew up admiring and analyzing Diggs’ game. Now, it’s time he puts his skills to the test against his idol.

“It’s one of those things where someone you grew up watching turns into someone you have to shut down,” Arnold told me over the phone. “I’m ready for that battle.”

With Odunze (who was drafted by Detroit’s division rival — the Chicago Bears), Arnold wants to make up for missing out on the opportunity to go mano-a-mano with the Washington receiver during the College Football Playoffs.

“I wish I could have gotten that matchup against Odunze in the College Football Playoffs,” Arnold said to me. “But I’ll be getting to see him twice a year now, so I’m ready for that.”

Arnold wants to be a star, but not in some fancy big-market city. He wants to do it in Detroit. The infamous lighthearted anecdote about him falling asleep in his Lions’ hat the night he was drafted by them served as a useful icebreaker in the early stages of our conversation.

“I was just so excited. I was up late talking with my friends, and the next thing you know, it was the next morning, and I still had the hat on,” Arnold added when asked about the story.

Arnold also understands the irony of his current situation — being drafted by the team that plays in the same state as the one who ended his collegiate career (Michigan). Arnold acknowledged that he’s thought about it, but he’s ready to turn the page. He loves this city. So much so that he told me his only goal for his rookie season is to bring this fanbase a Super Bowl.

Don’t get it confused, though. Arnold isn’t one to make baseless claims. He puts his money where his mouth is. He puts the work in to warrant his self-belief in his powers. There’s a difference between arrogance and confidence. Arnold firmly falls under the latter category.

Arnold — who shares a close relationship with Nick and Terry Saban — first impressed the greatest coach in college football history by retelling Saban’s childhood to him during a conversation the two had.

“How did you know that?” Arnold remembered Saban asking him.

“Well, Coach, you know I do my research,” Arnold responded.

Saban grew so impressed with Arnold during their time together that the two shared many heartfelt conversations. Arnold says that he got to see the “human side” of Saban, even once walking in on a comical scene of the seven-time National Championship winner eating a bowl of soup with his feet kicked up on the table.

I didn’t have the opportunity to ask Saban about this, but my assumption is the reason he was so fond of his corner was that Arnold was an alpha, but also a grinder. Funny enough, in a chick or the egg sort of twist, Arnold attributes his work ethic to his time with Saban at Alabama.

“It prepared me in ways that other schools probably couldn’t have,” Arnold said. “For instance, Alabama taught me how to take the details, the little things, very, very seriously. Something as simple as making sure you have your shirt tucked in, not having earrings on while playing, or not being able to listen to music at practice and just having to work and grind. All of that discipline was instilled in me during my time at Alabama.”

This makes sense. All the truly great cornerbacks tout the fire to back up their peacock-like struts. But do you know what else many of them have in common? Great style.

That also adds up. After all, a great way to express your confidence is by having your own unique style. Arnold, of course, is not hurting in this category either.

Derek Guy, a prominent menswear writer, stated that Arnold’s draft day suit surpassed the allure of the outfit donned by the first overall pick, Caleb Williams — a player known for his progressive sense of fashion.

“I told everyone I was going to be the cleanest person at the NFL Draft,” Arnold said emphatically. “I think I stayed true to my word on that.”

Like he does with Saban and his discipline, Arnold credits a good deal of his ability to express himself through his appearance to KAY Jewelers — the brand, along with The Players’ Tribune, that he partnered with to put together his draft day masterpiece.

“With KAY Jewelers, I had always seen them in commercials growing up,” Arnold told me. “Their slogan, ‘Every kiss begins with KAY,’ was ingrained in my head. It became one of those things for me as a child where I’d be like, ‘Man, when am I going to be able to get something like that.’ So, to be able to work with them and The Players’ Tribune on the biggest night of my life, it was an absolute honor.”

“We are thrilled to partner with The Players’ Tribune and to team up with the fantastic Terrion Arnold,” Bill Brace, President of KAY Jewelers, told me. “This partnership is symbolic of the fusion between elite athleticism and timeless elegance and helps KAY dive deeper into the men’s market to showcase the versatility in styles that we offer.”

Arnold appreciates how KAY allows him to fully unlock what he calls the “Terrion Way.”

“The ‘Terrion Way’ just means to be iconic, legendary, one of those people that seizes the moment, someone who does not miss,” Arnold explained.

The “Terrion Way” is an amalgamation of all that we’ve outlined. The confidence, the fire, the flare. Arnold plans on bringing all that to the next level, on putting his own stamp on the cornerback profession. And do you know what? Detroit fans should rest assured that he firmly intends to make good on his bold claims.

“I can’t wait to have my own moment. I’m going to bring my style to the game. I’m going to bring it in the ‘Terrion way.” I feel like everyone is looking forward to what Terrion is going to wear, how Terrion is going to perform, and I’m not going to disappoint.”