Nick Saban praises Dallas Turner for growth, impact on Alabama team

Alabama LB Dallas Turner is having yet another highly productive season down in Tuscaloosa. That has led him to once again earn major props from his head coach in Nick Saban.

Saban spoke very highly of Turner during his press conference on Monday. He said his successful play so far this season is nothing new based on how he has competed before and the level at which he holds himself to week in and week out.

“Dallas has always been a good player for us,” said Saban. “He’s always a hard worker, a really conscientious guy, has a sort of high standard for how he wants to play and do things.”

“He has played really well for us,” Saban said.

Through five games for ‘Bama this fall, Turner has 22 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. The forced fumbles are already a career-high for the junior while he’s very well on his way to surpassing career-bests in several other stats before the end of the season.

However, beyond his play on the field, Saban was also complimentary of Turner’s approach as a leader. He has seen him take on that challenge and believes he has done a quality job within that role for them to this point.

“This year, I think he has tried to take on a little bit more of a leadership role in terms of how he can impact and affect other people on the team, which I think he has done a good job of,” Saban said.

As a defensive anchor for Alabama, Turner is once again wreaking havoc for the Tide’s opponents. That’s why, in his third season, Saban is continuing to sing his praises considering everything that he has his hands on for this year’s team.

Saban breaks down the growth, development of Caleb Downs

The emergence of freshman S Caleb Downs has served as a bright spot for Alabama‘s defense. Downs is just five games into his collegiate career but has already impressed in Tuscaloosa.

In his weekly press conference on Monday, Nick Saban spoke about his young emerging star in the secondary and how he has grown.

“I think Caleb was a really good player right to start with,” Saban said. “I think that one of the things that freshmen especially? They kind of get the defense, they kind of learn what they’re supposed to do. And then you start getting into game plans where you’ve got to tweak those things a little bit.”

“That’s where the experience really comes into play. Then you can put yourself in the right position more often. But he’s played really really well for us,” Saban said.

Downs currently leads the Crimson Tide in tackles with 40 so far this season. He has notched double-digit tackles in two of their five games this season.

“He’s bright, smart, very instinctive as a football player, really works hard to prepare. Very conscientious in terms of making sure that he knows exactly what he’s supposed to do, where he’s supposed to be, and how he fits on the plays,” Saban said. “And I think, being a good player and being a very conscientious person, the combination of those two? It has really enhanced his development and improvement.”