UCF might have one of college football's best safeties in All-American transfer Sheldon Arnold II

Tony Adame

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UCF might have one of college football's best safeties in All-American transfer Sheldon Arnold II image

If UCF makes a move into the Big 12 Conference’s elite programs in 2024, it could be in large part because of the play of safety Sheldon Arnold. 

Arnold announced he would transfer to UCF in May 2024 from East Tennessee State and automatically became the highest-graded returning safety in the Big 12. According to PFF, Arnold graded out at 90.5 percent last season. 

Arnold was an All-American at ETSU in 2023 with 87 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 defensive touchdowns. 

According to UCFSports.com, Arnold chose UCF over offers from Houston, Michigan State, UAB and Arkansas State and has one year of eligibility remaining. 

UCF opens the season on Aug. 29 at home against New Hampshire and opens Big 12 play on Sept. 14 at TCU. The Knights went 6-7 overall in their first season in the Big 12 in 2023, including a 3-6 record in league play.

Tony Adame

Tony Adame Photo

Tony Adame covers the Big 12 Conference for The Sporting News. He is a graduate of Southern Oregon University and has been a sports journalist for 20 years. He has won APSE Awards for breaking news, games stories and feature writing. He is also the writer and host of the Florida Society of News Editors Award-winning podcast The Sheriff: Murder, Lies & Revenge in Okaloosa County for USA Today/Gannett.