Nick Saban praises Dallas Turner’s development throughout the offseason

Nick Saban consistently needs new players to step up considering how much Alabama often has to replace each offseason. Ahead of this season, that responsibility on the defensive side of the ball could partially fall on LB Dallas Turner.

Saban applauded Turner for the work that he has put in during his press conference on Wednesday. It wasn’t a long statement but one that suggested that Turner could have a big junior year as he comes out of what he did during the fall.

“Dallas has done great,” Saban said. I mean he has been a really good leader, he has set a good example, he has worked really hard. He has been very productive.”

“I think he has just done fantastic for us,” said Saban.

Turner has appeared in every game over the past two years for the Crimson Tide with 13 starts to his name. In that time, he has produced 67 tackles and 12.5 sacks. With him paired next to Will Anderson in each of those seasons, it gave Alabama a top-notch duo at linebacker where one was able to eat when the other was stopped and vice versa.

Now, Turner is by himself and should be one of the faces of the linebacker unit again. That leaves it to him to produce in that area like the star he has shown he can be and, at least to Saban, he has every expectation that Turner will.

Deontae Lawson opens up on Turner’s leadership

The Alabama Crimson Tide lost their defensive leader, Will Anderson, to the NFL this offseason. Anderson was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.

Losing a player and leader of his caliber would devastate almost every other program in college football. However, that’s not the case at Alabama. While Anderson may be gone, Dallas Turner has already begun to fill his shoes as the defensive leader. That’s according to linebacker Deontae Lawson based on what he had to say recently.

“Well, I feel like it’s always been in Dallas, but you know Will was just the spotlight. But I feel like that’s just something he’s always had. So it’s just his time now to do that,” said Lawson at the Crimson Tide’s fall camp.

As for Turner, not only is he filling Anderson’s role as the voice of the defense. Many also expected him to replace his former teammates’ production on the field.