Spring football returned to the University of Alabama on Friday, March 11.
Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to reclaim the crown of national champions. With 15 practice sessions – including the A-Day Game – the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews on marquee players.
We move to the fourth marquee player on Alabama’s defense to profile, and it’s linebacker Dallas Turner.
Dallas Turner
-Classification: Sophomore
–Position: Outside Linebacker
-Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
-Height: 6-4
-Weight: 240 pounds
–Strengths: Speed, power, explosive pass rusher, instinctive, production (10 TFLs, 8.5 sacks), good run stopper, studies opponents and breaks them down, plays well in marquee games
–Weaknesses: Needs more starts to grow himself
Summary for spring practice
Dallas Turner put together a highly impressive freshman season in 2021.
He made his first career start for the Crimson Tide against Texas A&M and played 15 games. Turner, a South Florida native, arrived in Alabama’s 2021 class as a five-star prospect. He wanted to follow in Will Anderson’s footsteps, and the sophomore linebacker took Turner under his guidance. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder immediately showed his power, speed, edge-rushing moves, and ability to sack quarterbacks. Turner posted 8.5 sacks, including 5.5 coming in the Crimson Tide’s last four matchups of the season. He finished with 30 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery.
Turner received Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American honors.
Nick Saban praised him for his work habits during the Alabama Football Coaches Association Conference in Montgomery (Ala.) in January. Turner is back to create more trouble for offenses as a sophomore. One can expect him to be better and possibly have bigger numbers than Anderson. The junior will create so much attention that it will allow Turner to have more success.
Turner proved to be dominant in the biggest games and will continue to grow in his technique.
He is expected to be a force in spring practice for the Tide. Turner just needs more opportunities as a starter.
Related profiles
–Ty Simpson, Quarterback (freshman)
–Will Anderson, Outside Linebacker
–Henry To’oto’o, Inside Linebacker
–Jordan Battle, Defensive Back
–Aaron Anderson, Wide Receiver (freshman)
–Jihaad Campbell, Outside Linebacker (freshman)
–Jeremiah Alexander, Outside Linebacker (freshman)
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
