Name: D.J. Turner II
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 181 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #5
Last year: I ranked Turner #33 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in four games.
TTB Rating: 82
Turner was thought by some to be in line for more playing time going into 2020, so I am reticent to put him this high. Injuries have been an issue at times, but Sam Webb talked to Turner’s trainer (former NFL cornerback Ray Buchanan) and some of those injury problems had been corrected. So when Michigan rode the duo of Gemon Green and Vincent Gray, the latter of whom struggled mightily week after week, it was surprising that Turner or others didn’t get more of an opportunity. Turner’s only appearance on defense came in the blowout loss to Wisconsin.
But I’m putting my faith on insiders this year who say Turner has claimed one of the two cornerback spots, opposite Green. Gray has reportedly been demoted but will still play. Turner is a better athlete than Gray but a little shorter and obviously not as experienced. Things almost literally can’t get worse than 2020, because that was Michigan’s second-worst scoring defense in school history. The corners should benefit from an improved pass rush, and new cornerbacks coach Steve Clinkscale has a solid track record of developing players.
Prediction: Starting cornerback; 20 tackles, 1 interception
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