2017
A veteran presence in the Commodore secondary, Tarpley appeared in 11 games, earning seven starts at nickel back… Missed the season finale at Tennessee due to injury… Concluded the season with 29 total tackles, 18 solo stops and three defensed passes… Posted season-high six tackles against Georgia… Also had four solo stops against Alabama and four total stops at Ole Miss… Contributed three solo tackles in win over Western Kentucky… Registered defensed passes against Middle Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri… Tarpley ended his Commodore career with 21 starts in 47 appearances, accumulating 85 solo stops, 123 total takles, 10 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
2016
Tarpley had 12 appearances, including starts in the last seven games, at safety in the Commodore secondary… He concluded the season a high note, registering career highs with eight solo stops and 12 total tackles – along with a tackle for loss, forced fumble and fumble recovery – vs. NC State in Camping World Independence Bowl… He concluded the regular season with 29 solo tackles among 40 total stops, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries… Tarpley posted six tackles – a season high – in the Commodores’ win at Georgia, and had five stops, including 1.5 that resulted in losses, in the victory over Ole Miss… Tarpley’s fumble recovery against Tennessee led to the game-deciding Vanderbilt touchdown.
2015
Tarpley participated in all 12 games, and started seven games in defensive secondary… Earned six starts in second half of season at nickel back, and started in eventual win over Middle Tennessee strong safety vs. Middle Tennessee… Established numerous season highs, including 36 total tackles, 24 solo tackles and five tackles for loss… Posted at least three tackles in 10 of 12 games… Set game highs with five solo stops and eight total tackles at Ole Miss… Two pair of tackles for loss at Tennessee.
2014
Tarpley was among four true freshmen to see action in the Commodore defensive secondary during the 2014 season… Participated in 11 games, missing the season finale vs. Tennessee… Contributed at safety and nickel back, and saw action on special team coverage units… Contributed a team-high two forced fumbles during the year… Concluded with 14 solo tackles, 18 total tackles and a pair of tackles for loss… Forced fumbles came against Temple and Missouri… Set career high with five solo tackles at Kentucky… Also post three tackles against Temple, South Carolina and Georgia.
High School
Two-year defensive starter for Pittsburgh private power… As senior DB, posted 75 tackles, including 10 for losses, four interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles for 15-1 Viking squad that captured Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Class AAAA title and finished runnerup in the PIAL state championship… Earned All-State and All-League honors as senior DB… Named to Pennsylvania roster for Big 33 Pennsylvania-Ohio Prep Football Classic.
Personal
Arnold Lee Tarpley III… Working toward a major in Communication Studies.. Born June 18, 1996… Son of Darieth and Arnold Tarpley Jr… Dad is a podiatrist; mom is former Pittsburgh TV news anchor who currently works as marketing entrepreneur.
Career Highs
Total Tackles:12, vs. NC State, 12/26/2016
Solo Tackles: 8, vs. NC State, 12/26/2016
Tackles for Loss: 2.0, at Tennessee, 11/28/2015
Forced Fumbles: 1, (4x), last vs. NC State, 12/26/2016
Fumble Recoveries: 1, (4x) last vs. NC State, 12/26/2016e, 11/26/2016
Defensed Passes: 1 (8x), last vs. Missouri, 11/18/2017
