DJ Turner
refer to caption
Turner with Michigan in 2022
No. 20 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2000-11-09) November 9, 2000 (age 23)
Suwanee, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school:IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
College:Michigan (2019–2022)
NFL draft:2023 / Round: 2 / Pick: 60
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:50
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:7
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

JuanDrago "DJ" Turner II (born November 9, 2000) is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan and was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Early years

Turner was born on November 9, 2000, in Suwanee, Georgia.[1] He attended North Gwinnett High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his senior year.[2] He committed to the University of Michigan to play college football.[3][4]

College career

Turner appeared in eight total games his first two years at Michigan in 2019 and 2020.[5] In 2021, he played in all 14 games and made eight starts.[6] He finished the year with 33 tackles, two interceptions and one touchdown. Turner returned as a starter in 2022, intercepting one pass and returning a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown.[7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
5 ft 11+1⁄4 in
(1.81 m) 		178 lb
(81 kg) 		30+3⁄4 in
(0.78 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.26 s 1.47 s 2.32 s 38.5 in
(0.98 m)		 10 ft 11 in
(3.33 m)
All values from the NFL Combine[8]

Turner was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round, 60th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft.[9]

In Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, Bengals' starting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was ruled out for injury, leading to Turner getting his first career start. Turner would finish the game with four total tackles and one pass deflection, grading the highest of all the Bengals' cornerbacks in the 34–20 win.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2023 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. p. 251. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  2. ^ Baumgardner, Nick (July 10, 2019). "Michigan football freshman D.J. Turner is a disciplined, fearless coverman". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Three-star Georgia cornerback DJ Turner picks Michigan". The Detroit News. June 25, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Sang, Orion (June 25, 2018). "Michigan football adds to 2019 class with Georgia CB DJ Turner". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Zuke, Ryan (October 26, 2021). "DJ Turner emerges in Michigan's secondary". mlive.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  6. ^ "Why Michigan football cornerback DJ Turner doesn't fear Big Ten's best wide receivers". Detroit Free Press. November 26, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  7. ^ Kahn, Andrew (September 7, 2022). "Michigan football player gives play by play of his own touchdown". mlive.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  8. ^ "DJ Turner II Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  9. ^ Hobson, Geoff (April 28, 2023). "Bengals Select Michigan CB DJ Turner II With Second-Round Pick". Bengals.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Santagata, Mike (October 11, 2023). "Bengals Film Breakdown: Analyzing DJ Turner's First Career Start in Win Over Cardinals". Sports Illustrated Cincinnati Bengals News, Analysis and More. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  11. ^ Heltman, Russ (October 12, 2023). "DJ Turner II Quickly Acclimating to NFL Action: 'Helps Your Confidence' Guarding Bengals WRs". Sports Illustrated Cincinnati Bengals News, Analysis and More. Retrieved October 15, 2023.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to D. J. Turner (cornerback).
Cincinnati Bengals roster
Cincinnati Bengals 2023 NFL draft selections
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