NFL Draft: Toledo TE Jamal Turner mirrors Ravens Isaiah Likely
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Isaiah Likely in the fourth round of the NFL Draft last year. The former Coastal Carolina tight end made his impression in training camp and continued that momentum throughout his entire rookie season.
Likely at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds is not what most consider a traditional tight end. Playing in 14 games and starting two for Baltimore, Likely finished the year with 36 receptions for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
“I compare myself to Isaiah Likely,” Toledo Rockers tight end Jamal Turner said. “We are kind of like the same size and route running ability.”
Turner measured in at 6-foot-4 and 239 pounds during the week of the Hula Bowl in Orlando, Florida, earlier this winter. The Montgomery, Alabama native was able to capitalize on his senior season and reveal on tape the best characteristics of his game.
“They definitely are going to see my speed and route running abilities,” Turner said.
A change in the offensive philosophy of utilizing Turner helped turn 2022 into his breakout season. From 2018-21, he accumulated just 17 catches for 199 yards and one touchdown reception. During his final season with the Rockets, he finished with 29 receptions for 378 yards and eight touchdowns.
When Turner was going through the recruiting process at Toledo, the Rockets had Michael Roberts, who got drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Ironically, Roberts had the sort of career that mirrored Turner. In his first three seasons with the Rockets, Roberts caught 25 passes for 299 yards and six scores. Like Turner, the avalanche of production came during his final season, registering 45 catches for 533 yards and a whopping 16 touchdowns.
“When they recruited me, he (Roberts) had like 16 touchdowns,” Turner said. “I was like, aww, I can go do that. So, when I got to Toledo, we really got away from throwing to tight ends as much as we did when we had Mike Roberts. So, I became a good blocker. Then my senior year, I was like, I can get in the end zone.”
The emolument of blocking early in his career stunted his statistical growth. Still, at his size and for what he does best (get vertical), Turner now has the experience and film to show NFL teams he is well-equipped to handle his blocking assignments.
Toledo’s Pro Day is scheduled for March 20th, a day when Turner can back up his 2022 production with a solid Pro Day performance. Being in Orlando earlier this year should calm his nerves in front of NFL scouts on hand.
“I felt like I gave the scouts what they wanted to see,” Turner said about his time at the Hula Bowl.
Giving the scouts the numbers they want to see at his Pro Day could help slide Turner into the third day of the NFL Draft.
