Former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner will begin his professional career with the Minnesota Vikings after being selected at No. 17 in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. He slid further than anyone anticipated, which surprised many.
Turner becomes an immediate boost to the Vikings’ defense. The team traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars to select the former Alabama star. Now, its defensive line gets an instant upgrade with a young player eager to disrupt the backfield of the opposing offense at every snap.
The spotlight was on Turner in the 2023 college football season: He had the hefty task of replacing Will Anderson Jr., who was selected No. 3 by the Houston Texans in the 2023 draft. Not only did Turner step up to the challenge, but he also exceeded expectations.
His destination comes as a surprise. He was long projected to be selected by the Atlanta Falcons; some argued he was the perfect fit for the franchise. Minnesota landed him after selecting former Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Dallas Turner and other former Alabama players preparing for their upcoming rookie year in the 2024 NFL season.
Follow along with live draft coverage and analysis of every pick at College Sports Wire’s live 2024 NFL draft tracker.
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