Dallas Turner expects Alabama's defense to be 'Joyless Murderball'
Many Alabama fans are hoping their team gets back to what they like to call “Joyless Murderball” on the football field. A ruthless level of dominance on the gridiron that was once rather routine for the Crimson Tide during the Nick Saban era. However, there has been a new king in college football the past two seasons, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. They’ve won the last two national crowns and are shooting for a historic third straight national title this year. For Alabama to get back to ‘Joyless Murderball’, they’ll certainly need players like the freakishly talented Dallas Turner to dominate the defensive side of the football.
At the SEC Media Days in Nashville, Tennessee — Turner said the expectation in Tuscaloosa is for the team to return to that elite level of dominance.
“The expectations, Joyless Murderball, pre-season, of course. There’s a lot of guys on the defense that can run around, fly around, make good plays,” Turner said.
If the Crimson Tide are looking for a man to fly around and make plays on the defensive side of the ball, Turner is one of the best places in the country to start. He’s racked up 12.5 sacks during his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa and figures to be a top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
One of ESPN’s insanely early 2024 NFL Mock Drafts had him projected to be selected No. 10 overall to the Chicago Bears.
Dallas Turner also discussed the NCAA Football video game
Turner has discussed a wide variety of topics at SEC Media Days, including how it would be a dream to just be in the new NCAA Football video game. For more on that and more, check out the article below from On3’s Steve Samra.
While at SEC media days, Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner explained that being in the new NCAA football video game from EA would be a dream come true.
The EA NCAA football video was discontinued in 2013 following lawsuits over the use of players’ likenesses. However, with changes in NIL laws, the game was announced in 2021 and should be released in 2024. For that game, EA is going to allow players to opt into the game as it intends on featuring real players.
“Oh man, it would be a dream come true,” Dallas Turner said. “It would be a dream come true. You know I play video games every day, I’m not gonna lie to you. So, you know, it would be a dream come true knowing that I could play as myself on a video game.”
The NCAA football video games were clearly important to Turner, as he explained he still plays the old game.
“I still play NCAA 14 to this day,” Dallas Turner said. “I have a PS3 in my room right now, I just can’t wait to go home and play it, right now.”
Despite Turner and many fans’ excitement for the game, EA is still facing challenges in releasing the video game. The Brandr Group launched a lawsuit against the game. Meanwhile, the College Football Player’s Association is trying to organize a boycott of it.
For the game, there is a $5 million cash pool, which would pay each player $500. There are some questions about whether bigger name players will lend their NIL for that flat rate, with Oklahoma quarterback General Booty saying, “We’ve actually been talking about that in the locker room. So, we’ve all talked about it because we want the game to come out, obviously. But we were saying if they come out and try to lowball and say we want to give everyone $200.”
Still, many players like Dallas Turner, just want the game to come out. LSU’s Mekhi Wingo previously echoed Turner’s sentiments.
“Definitely, I grew up playing the game. I ain’t gonna say I was the best, but I was good enough, and I’m not really sure what they have planned in place for players to get compensated,” Wingo said. “But, honestly, I feel like a lot of players in the nation just want the game back, you know. A lot of people just want the game back so we can play it.”
On replacing Will Anderson
On the field in 2023, Dallas Turner is going to need to be a key player for Alabama as the Crimson Tide replace Will Anderson’s production. For Turner, it’s going to be important to stay consistent as he tries to contribute.
“I just try to be a great teammate to my teammates every day,” Turner said. “I just try to be a great person on and off the field to my teammates. Just try and be there and lead by example. Just try to motivate my guys every day to work hard and stay consistent.”
On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this article.