Terrion Arnold became a fan favorite for Alabama football this season. From his versatility as the Tide’s No. 2 cornerback opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry to his endearing relationship with the matriarch of the program Miss Terry Saban.

Yet, after UA’s 27-20 loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, it’s unclear if Arnold’s rise will pull him out of Tuscaloosa and into the professional ranks. Speaking with 3 Man Front on Jox 94.5, Arnold said he’s yet to make a decision.

On Thursday, Arnold and head coach Nick Saban will meet in Tuscaloosa as players explore their futures.

“I kind of really haven’t been paying too much attention to it,” Arnold said, per Mike Rodak of 247Sports. ” … I’ve just been trying to weight [sic] all the information I’ve been getting to make the best decision for me.”

Arnold, a four-star safety out of Tallahassee, Fla., started seven of 11 games as a redshirt freshman in 2022, rotating as a boundary cornerback. By season’s end, Arnold had been relegated to mostly bench duty and fill-in snaps. This fall, Arnold immediately earned the starting job on the left side of Alabama’s defense with some stints at STAR, or nickel cornerback.

Arnold was a second-team All-SEC selection as voted on by the Associated Press. He led Alabama with five pass breakups and 12 interceptions and was tied for fourth in tackles (63.0). He also recorded a sack and forced one fumble. Along with quarterback and close friend Jalen Milroe, Arnold was the other half of Alabama’s LANK-duo, emerging as the face of UA’s surging run to the Rose Bowl.

“We’ve got unfinished business,” Arnold told reporters outside the team’s locker room in Pasadena, Calif., postgame.

In ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s Dec. 29 draft rankings, Arnold was ranked as the fifth-best cornerback (McKinstry was No. 3) available and No. 32 player overall. Being selected with the last pick in the first round can bring a contract valued at over $11 million and $2 million guaranteed, per Sportrac.

While Alabama’s name, image and likeness entity, Yea, Alabama, has grown this season, the group isn’t as robust as others that can try to flex financial might to forego pro ball. At least it hasn’t demonstrated as much yet.

Michigan running back Blake Corum for example — not as highly ranked as Arnold but a prominent player at his position — stayed in Ann Arbor, and brought in more than $1 million through NIL deals before leading U-M to a national championship.

Alabama defensive back Dallas Turner declared for the draft with an emphatic statement in the post-Rose Bowl locker room. In addition to wide reciever coach Holmon Wiggins leaving for Texas A&M and multiple offensive pieces heading into the transfer portal, Alabama’s roster is expected to go a sizeable amount of turnover. The deadline to declare for the NFL Draft is Jan. 15.

“Terrion has really done a good job for us. Because of injuries, he’s had to play multiple positions, which has been challenging for him. … In some cases, when a guy’s gone out of the game, he didn’t have a lot of reps at it. But he’s been a trooper at doing it and trying to look at it as a challenge and go out and improve each week. His coverage ability has been very good. I think he’s played extremely well,” Saban said of Arnold on Nov. 20.

Wide reciever Shazz Preston became the first player following the loss to the Wolverines to announce his plans to transfer. Center Seth McLaughlin reportedly met with Saban Wednesday afternoon as well to relay news of his decision to leave.

Alabama kicker Will Reichard and defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe have accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

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