By Blessing 
When a football player makes it to the NFL, the lessons and habits they develop in college often stick with them. That’s certainly the case for Terrion Arnold, and the Detroit Lions recognize just how much Alabama contributed to shaping him into the player he is today.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes didn’t hold back in giving credit to the Crimson Tide for Arnold’s development. Alabama played a crucial role in molding the talented defensive back, and Holmes made it clear that their influence hasn’t gone unnoticed.
During his rookie season, Arnold played in 16 games for Detroit, starting in 15 of them as a cornerback. He quickly became a key part of Coach Dan Campbell’s defense, proving himself as a formidable presence on the field. But as much as the Lions have helped him grow, they acknowledge that Alabama laid the foundation for his success.
One name that stood out in Arnold’s journey was Deshea Townsend. Holmes specifically pointed to the former Alabama defensive backs coach as a major influence on Arnold’s game.
“I thought Deshea did a great job with him. And, you know, I expected no different. But, yeah, I got a lot of excitement for Terrion,” Holmes shared, via Mark Inabinett of AL.com.
Arnold’s impact in his first year was undeniable. He racked up 60 total tackles, with 47 of them being solo efforts. And according to Holmes, this is just the beginning.
“He’s got the right attitude… He’s a very coachable player. He cares, he’s passionate, he’s prideful, so he’s going to do the necessary things. He wants to be a great player, we want him to be a great player, so I have no doubt that he’s going to continue to develop,” Holmes said.
With a strong work ethic and the right mindset, Arnold is set to make an even bigger impact in his second year. As the Lions push toward their Super Bowl aspirations, they know they have a rising star in their secondary—one who carries the legacy of Alabama football with him.