2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Akili Arnold, DB, Oregon State
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Akili Arnold, #0 |
| School (Code) | Oregon State (ORST) |
| DOB, Class Yr | 10/25/2000, Fifth-Year Junior. |
| Height, Weight | 5110, 200 |
| 40 Yd Dash | 4.54e |
| Position/Depth | SS, #1 |
| Honors/Captainship | N/A |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | WAUN, @COUN, @AZUN, CALA, @WAST |
| Scout Name / Date | Ryan Vidales 12/3/23 |
Per Year Stats
| 2023 | 11 GP (11 GS), 60 Tkls, 2.0 TFL, 0.5 Sk, 2 INT, 1 FR, 8 PBU, 4 KR, 70 KR Yds |
| 2022 | 13 GP, 12 Tkls, 1 FF |
| 2021 | 13 GP, 32 Tkls, 1.0 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU |
| 2020 | 7 GP (6 GS), 30 Tkls, 2.0 TFL, 1 FF, 1 PBU |
| 2019 | 6 GP, 17 Tkls, 0.5 TFL |
Player Summary:
Fifth-year junior with medial height/weight measurements and physical traits. Served as the starting strong safety in Trent Bray’s 4-2-5 defense in 2023. Possesses a quick trigger and proficient burst to close when attacking downhill as a run defender. Does not hesitate to come down from the safety spot to play the run at the first level. Physical tackler with requisite contact courage and secure open-field tackling ability. Lacks the ideal strong safety size but conceals solid play strength behind a lean frame. Scrappy and operates with a chip on his shoulder. Notable burst/acceleration leads to effective blitz ability as a free rusher off the edge. Quality mental instincts, awareness, and reactionary athleticism. Adept play speed to pursue the ball from sideline to sideline and trail the back hip of the receiver in tight man coverage. Capable range to cover the backend in a two-high shell. Maintains active eyes in zone coverage and breaks on the ball with considerable click to close. Covers the short and intermediate ranges well as a strong nickel in the second level. Boasts the skill set to drop down into the nickel spot. Able to cover larger pass catchers in the slot but his viability at the catch point on contested catches is questionable considering his adequate size and length. Offers dependable ball skills and hands-catching ability as a former HS receiver. Exhibits visible leadership and competitiveness in the secondary. Adds special teams versatility on kickoff and punt coverages.
Scheme Fit:
Weak Safety in a 4-2-5 defense
Power Statement:
Arnold is a physical safety with strong tackling ability, great toughness/contact courage, and a versatile skill set to defend the pass at all three levels. His undersized physical profile will likely limit his snaps at the early stages of his career at the next level.