Alabama's Dallas Turner Dominates at 2024 NFL Combine
Alabama edge rusher/linebacker Dallas Turner came into the 2024 NFL Combine as not only the first member of his position expected to be taken in the NFL Draft, but the first defensive player as well.
Turner was widely expected to be the successor of now-NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. to start this past season, and he most certainly didn't disappoint. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Consensus All-American finished 2023 second in the conference in tackles for loss (15) and first in sacks (10).
In other words, his draft stock can't rise much higher. That said, he proved why he's considered one of the prospects in this draft class on Thursday evening as he absolutely dominated the on-field drills.
Turner couldn't have opened his Combine campaign any better as his 40.5-inch vertical jump was the best leap by not only any linebacker, but defensive lineman as well—Thursday only involved these position groups. Additionally, this mark is the best by a Crimson Tide linebacker since now-Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who accomplished the feat in 2006.
Turner also thrived in the broad jump as he sprung up to 10 feet and seven inches, which was tied for the second-best distance by any prospect on Thursday. Washington linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio was the only player ahead (10'8").
The 21-year-old's final on-field drill was the renowned 40-yard dash. Turner ran the distance officially in 4.46 seconds, which was the best time of the entire day until NC State linebacker Payton Wilson logged a 4.43 a couple of minutes later. Turner was happy enough with his first attempt that he opted out of his second.
Turner's 40-yard dash was visually compared to two former Alabama and current NFL standouts.
Crimson Tide linebacker Chris Braswell and defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe also participated in Day 1 of the NFL Combine and their results could be found in the article below could be found in the article below. The results of the rest of the Alabama draft prospects over the next few days will also be updated in the article below.
