Name: D.J. Turner II
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 182 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #5
Last year: I ranked Turner #70 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in four games, preserving his redshirt.
TTB Rating: 82
Turner came into his freshman year after spending a somewhat uninspiring senior year at IMG Academy. However, he had the physicality that can help Michigan defenders be successful. Michigan stayed pretty healthy at defensive back in 2019, which allowed someone like Turner to play in a few select games. After playing in three during the regular season, he was able to play on special teams in the bowl game and still keep his redshirt.
Off-season hype has ticked up for Turner, placing him above all the other outside corners in the countdown. The expectation is for Vincent Gray to start opposite Ambry Thomas, and the #3 corner gets a fair amount of playing time. Turner is reportedly in the mix as the fastest guy on the team. Sam Webb discussed this spring that Turner had been dealing with a lower body injury for a couple years, and Michigan’s training staff seems to have finally worked it out. So now Turner should be operating at a higher level than where he’s been, and he could very well be starting opposite Gray in the fall of 2021.
Prediction: Backup cornerback
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I am not the biggest Vincent Gray fan. I think DJ Turner is more athletically gifted and could pass him this year.
I was surprised to read post-season stats showing Vincent Gray was actually good. I remember him being outmatched athletically often. Is my memory tainted by a few plays?
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It was an interesting year for Gray. From what I remember, it seemed like he got beat some and then poorly thrown balls saved him. He would be running for his life, waving his arms, and the ball would hit him in the back of the shoulder. It’s not like he was running smoothly with WRs. But I supposed the end result is what really matters.
FWIW, it sounds like Thomas might be gone (opting out), so we might be looking at Gray and Turner in the spring (if there is spring ball).
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Also seemed like Michigan leaned on the starters a lot more than usual which is telling given some of the excellent starters they’ve had in years past.
Then again Gray was a redshirt freshman.
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Put him on Zordich assembly line!
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