Benched in 2022. Starred in 2023. NFL Draft first-rounder in 2024. The ascent of Terrion Arnold hit a new peak on Thursday night in Detroit.

Arnold was chosen 24th overall by the Detroit Lions after the hometown team traded up with the Dallas Cowboys. Arnold was the second cornerback selected after a historic open to the night.

For the first time in the modern draft era, no defensive players were chosen in the initial 14 picks; six quarterbacks were taken in the first 12; Arnold’s Alabama teammates JC Latham and Dallas Turner went seventh and 17th overall, respectively, to the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings.

Arnold is the first defensive back from Alabama to be taken in the first round since Patrick Surtain II (2021, ninth to Denver). He is also the ninth first-round defensive back Nick Saban coached in Tuscaloosa. Fittingly, Saban was on a stage in downtown Detroit as an analyst for ESPN.

A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Arnold had an uneven start with the Tide after entering as a four-star recruit. He redshirted his freshman season and despite hype entering his debut year, Arnold couldn’t hold onto a starting position during Southeastern Conference play. Still, his highlight moment was in Bryant-Denny Stadium against Texas A&M when Arnold read Jimbo Fisher’s lips and disrupted a potential game-winning touchdown with two seconds left.

An unproven commodity heading into last fall opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry, Arnold continued to be the focus of Saban’s sideline rants. But in a turn, Arnold produced consistently. He finished with five interceptions, 12 pass breakups, 63 total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Teams targeted Arnold and avoided McKinstry — who also hopes to hear his name called later in the night — which led to Arnold’s skills, like quick reaction time and solid tackling, shining.

Arnold became a local celebrity off the field. He and close friend Jalen Milroe coined the ‘LANK’ acronym that doubled as a team catchphrase and slogan for a t-shirt line. Arnold embraced the doubt surrounding the program and its concerning 2-1 start. Arnold also befriended Miss Terry Saban, which Saban likened to “raising your children.”

The NFL got a taste of the Arnold experience during the scouting combine in Indianapolis. They met the first-team Associated Press All-American and his booming personality. With an emotional capper to his training drills performance, Arnold cemented himself as a star of draft season.

“I was raised to kinda have that presence, treat people how you want to be treated,” Arnold told AL.com in February. “I walk in, I have a certain presence. I’m smiling, I’m making you want to be around me. It’s all about building people up. That’s the type of guy I am and that’s the kind of player I am.”

Arnold will get to show it in Detroit for Dan Campbell. The Lions traded away a third-round pick (73rd overall)and its first-rounder (No. 29) for the right to draft Arnold and 2025 seventh-rounder.

Alabama 2024 NFL draft picks

Round 1

• 7. JC Latham, Tennessee Titans
• 17. Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].