Akili Arnold S USC | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Akili Arnold S USC
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/14/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (79%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 09/14/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (79%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 81.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 84.7 | |
| Tackling: |
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58% |
| Run Defense: |
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62% |
| Coverage: |
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75% |
| Zone: |
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76% |
| Man/Press: |
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73% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#191
Position rank:
#37
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| College Games: 42 College Snaps: 1809 | ||
247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beau Brade - Maryland |
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92% |
| Andre Cisco - Syracuse |
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90% |
| Leon O'Neal Jr. - Texas A&M |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Arnold's collegiate journey spans five years, beginning at Oregon State before a final season transfer to USC. At Oregon State (2019-23), he accumulated 151 tackles, 5.5 for loss (0.5 sacks), 10 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 3 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery across 48 games with 25 starts.His most productive season came as a redshirt senior in 2023, tallying 60 tackles, 2 for loss, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 2 QB hurries, and 1 fumble recovery in 11 starts. Arnold's versatility was evident in his ability to contribute consistently, with notable performances including a career-high 10 tackles against UCLA.
At Mission Viejo High School, Arnold was a standout two-way player. His senior campaign saw him earn 2018 County Defensive Player of the Year and Offensive MVP of the South Coast League honors. He recorded 32 tackles, 7 interceptions, and offensively, caught 53 passes for 870 yards and 7 touchdowns. Arnold also showcased his athleticism on special teams and in track and field.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Impressive burst and closing speed, allowing him to quickly attack downhill in run support and effectively blitz off the edge
- Exhibits a quick trigger and physical tackling ability, showcasing the willingness to play in the box despite his leaner frame
- Versatile defender capable of playing strong safety, nickel, and contributing in two-high safety shells with solid range
- Displays good mental processing and instincts, maintaining active eyes in zone coverage and reacting quickly to plays
- Former high school receiver with dependable ball skills and hands, translating to potential playmaking ability in the secondary
- Covers short to intermediate ranges effectively, particularly when matched up against larger slot receivers
- Demonstrates leadership qualities and a competitive edge, often playing with a chip on his shoulder
- Offers special teams value, with experience on kickoff and punt coverage units enhancing his NFL roster chances
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks prototypical NFL strong safety frame, potentially limiting his early-down usage and scheme fit at the next level
- Shows inconsistency in run fits and tackling technique, particularly when playing downhill against more physical ball carriers
- Struggles to play bigger than his frame in contested catch situations, potentially limiting his effectiveness against NFL-caliber tight ends
- Coverage skills, while solid, lack the elite traits needed to consistently match up with top-tier NFL receivers
- Production metrics in turnover creation and impact plays fall short of premier safety prospects in his class
Scouting Report: Summary
Arnold brings a diverse skill set to the table, with the potential to carve out a role in sub-packages and on special teams from day one. His ability to play in the box, slot, and deep demonstrates the positional flexibility coveted in today's NFL defenses.While size limitations may hinder his effectiveness as an every-down strong safety, Arnold's toolkit suggests promise as a developmental nickel or weak safety in multiple DB sets. His competitive edge and experience could see him pushing for rotational snaps earlier than his draft position might suggest.
Teams employing complex coverage schemes and prioritizing special teams acumen will find Arnold an intriguing day three prospect. His physicality belies his frame, and his coverage upside presents a moldable skill set for creative defensive coordinators to exploit in matchup-based schemes.
How other scouting services rate Akili Arnold (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
151.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
35.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.