Simulcam shows Dallas Turner outperform Derrick Henry, Jalen Hurts in 40-yard dash

As a junior this past season, Turner’s athleticism was showcased on a national stage which earned first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports, The Athletic and USA Today. He piled up an impressive 50 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 9.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, a pass breakup and 13 quarterback hurries in 2023 entering the Rose Bowl. In that loss, Turner contributed three tackles and one sack.

His 40-yard dash time only further solidifies NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s decision to project Turner as the No. 8 overall selection in April’s draft during his 2.0 mock draft. The longtime ESPN analyst explained his decision to make the former Crimson Tide star the first defensive player to come off his board.

Dallas Turner emerged this year we said what’s gonna happen? Well, Will Anderson Jr. moves on [from Alabama], but will Turner be the guy who really takes his game to another level? We saw it early on at Alabama,” Kiper said on Wednesday. “He fell back a little and 2022 and now he put it all together this past year with double digit sacks. 

“I love the way he can beat you with quickness. He can beat you with speed and he could also be relentless. I love the way he chases down the quarterback. He’s got that speed to get a quarterback and he will get you the ability to get covered sacks as well as getting that natural explosion that you looked for in a complete pass rusher off the edge.”

Whether it be No. 8 to Atlanta, or anywhere else, it’s almost a sure thing that Turner won’t have to wait very long for his name to by called by the commissioner on draft night. The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit from April 25 through April 27.