'I Can Never Get Complacent': Culture at Alabama Prepared Dallas Turner for the NFL

Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner is confident he will be ready for the jump to the NFL.

INDIANAPOLIS — The jump from college football to the NFL is a significant leap for players. Even for top prospects like Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner.

"The main difference between the next level and the college level is the talent level of course," Turner said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "But you just always have to have that confidence, you know you gotta put the work in every single day because you're a professional."

But after three years under coach Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa, Turner feels prepared for the demands of the NFL.

"Going into this professional level, it probably will be nothing new for me, in my opinion, because at Alabama, you train as professionals," Turner said.

The 2023 First Team All-SEC linebacker is one of the top pass rusher prospects in this year's NFL Draft, being projected to go as high as within the top 10 selections. Turner was tied for the most sacks in the SEC in 2023 with 10. His size, strength and athleticism make him an ideal prospect. 

When asked what separates him from other prospects, Turner highlighted the many ways he was used in Alabama's defense.

"My explosiveness, my versatility, being able to play off the ball but being able play on the ball as well its just many things that made me to the player that I am today," Turner said.

One of the main reasons for Turner's versatility is his weight that has fluctuated through his three years with the Crimson Tide. 

"The weight journey at Alabama was crazy coming in, I was 260 lbs. but that was a COVID-19 260, but I fluctuated," Turner said. " (I) played my freshman at 240, sophomore year at 245 and my junior year at 255 but probably the best weight I had was my junior year."

Turner's largest size led to his most productive year at Alabama. He says that he thinks the size he was at his junior year is ideal for him.

"That's probably the best weight I can move at," Turner said. "I feel kinda powerful compared to the 225 my freshman year by the end of the season. Then the 255 in my junior season, I could tell the difference for sure in the strength, the power, the explosiveness. It felt good playing at 255 my junior year so I feel like that can open up a lot of versatility in whatever defense, whatever type of scheme I'm in." 

One of the roles that Turner played with Alabama was a three linebacker set along with Chris Brasswell and 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winner Will Anderson. The three's bond seems to be even stronger off the field.

"We're close off the field so we really just have a lot of fun but we learn off of each other," Turner said. "All three of us are different in our own type of ways so we just kinda took bits and pieces from each other and just kinda molded them into the game that we have."

Turner now will look to join Anderson as one of the NFL's premier pass rushers. Even with the noise around Turner's draft possibilities continuing to grow, he doesn't see himself ever becoming satisfied with his play.

"I can never get complacent, so even if I have a good game I'm (still always (going to) find something that I need to work on," Turner said. "I try to get better every day."

Turner will have his chance to show off his skills to NFL scouts and general managers Wednesday when he participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. With the NFL on horizon, Turner's discipline and drive can be chalked up to his time at Alabama. 

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