The NFL 2023 season is heating up, but that doesn’t mean that the USFL to NFL signings are slowing down. Arnold Tarpley III has signed with the Atlanta Falcons, per Aaron Wilson.
BREAKING: The Atlanta Falcons are signing Safety Arnold Tarpley III, per @AaronWilson_NFL.
Tarpley played with the @USFLMaulers the past two #USFL seasons, and was All-USFL in 2023 with 42 tackles and three interceptions. Had workouts with Buffalo, GB, Atlanta this offseason. pic.twitter.com/VC5JjScJe0
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) October 18, 2023
This signing has been a long time coming for Tarpley. The Pittsburgh Maulers have featured an elite defense in the USFL through two seasons, largely due to the efforts of Arnold who has been sensational – and well deserving of an NFL opportunity.
USFL Career
In the inaugural season of the USFL, despite Pittsburgh’s struggles as a team, Tarpley was excellent. He finished the year with 43 tackles and an interception, consistently making plays for a group who simply couldn’t find their footing from week to week.
A strong first half from @tretarpley as he adds this interception to go along with his five tackles. 💪
📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/MsaaI53N2S
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) April 19, 2022
2023 told a different story for the team. Pittsburgh made it to the USFL Championship, flipping the script from the year prior. For Arnold, though, the consistency continued. In 2023 he posted 42 tackles, two TFL, eight PD, and three interceptions.
What an interception from Arnold Tarpley. This @USFLMaulers defense is playing outstanding football.@tretarpley somehow finds a way to snag this football at the line of scrimmage, for his third pick of the year. Ridiculous. #USFL pic.twitter.com/VQI4c7DdLC
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) June 17, 2023
The Pittsburgh Maulers had the top defense in the USFL this past season, led by Assistant Coach of the Year Jarren Horton. Tarpley and Horton have played together for a while now, as both were a part of Vanderbilt for a few years.
After an outstanding campaign this season in the USFL, Arnold earned some NFL looks. He had workouts with the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and Atlanta Falcons – ultimately signing with Atlanta.
Breaking: The Buffalo Bills worked out S Arnold Tarpley III today, per source.
Tarpley was an All-USFL safety for the Pittsburgh Maulers during the 2023 #USFL season, posting 43 tackles and three interceptions en route to a Championship berth.
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) October 3, 2023
Final Thoughts
Now, Arnold Tarpley III will get his first crack at an NFL roster, with the Falcons. He’s had spring football stints since 2019, having played for the AAF’s Express and TSL’s Generals before heading to the USFL.
Had it not been for the national platform that the USFL provided him with, who knows if this would have been made possible.
💪 @tretarpley is there for the interception!!! pic.twitter.com/gKdr38Hijr
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) June 25, 2023
Tarpley is the 42nd USFL player to sign an NFL contract from the 2023 season. Pittsburgh sent four players to the NFL, including:
DT Olive Sagapolu (Eagles)
LB Kyahva Tezino (49ers)
CB Mark Gilbert (Dolphins)
What are your thoughts on Arnold Tarpley III signing with the Atlanta Falcons? Which USFL player deserves an NFL opportunity? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
