Dallas Turner named a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award: the nation’s top defender
Despite being a high-end recruit and a very talented player himself, the first two years of Dallas Turner's collegiate career were spent in Will Anderson’s shadow. Turner was sensational his first two years as he combined for 67 tackles and 12.5 sacks, but Anderson was the star of the defense during that span with 152 total tackles and an insane 27.5 sacks. With insane numbers like that Anderson was viewed as a generational prospect and declared for the 2023 NFL Draft after just his junior year where he was selected third overall by the Houston Texans.
Now, with Anderson out of the picture, Turner has became the superstar of the Alabama defense. Through 12 games this season, Turner is already at 46 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles as he is able to just pin his ears back and go get after the passer. It feels like every time that there is a crucial third down, 15 is somewhere around the ball.
Turner will more than likely be a First-Team All-American and Firs-Team All-SEC, but it sounds like he will also be in contention for the Chuck Bednarik Award which is handed out annually to the nation’s top defensive player. Turner would be the 4th player under Coach Saban at Alabama to win the award alongside Jonathan Allen 2016, Minkah Fitzpatrick 2017 and Will Anderson in 2022.
🔹 FINALIST: The Nation's Top Defensive Player 🔹@UnoErra x @BednarikAward https://t.co/gQHOQdKhCE#RollTide pic.twitter.com/o1AbL6EALu
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 28, 2023
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