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Nick Saban praises Dallas Turner for his leadership in fall camp

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels08/23/23

ChandlerVessels

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama will be counting a lot on linebacker Dallas Turner this season. With Will Anderson and Henry To’oto’o both on to the NFL, Turner returns for his senior season as one of the more experienced players in the room.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has so far been impressed with his leadership, throwing some praise the linebacker’s way in his Wednesday press conference.

“Dallas has done great,” Saban said. “He’s been a really good leader. He’s set a good example. He’s worked really hard. He’s been very productive and I think he’s just been fantastic for us.”

Turner appeared in 13 games with 10 starts this past season to record 37 tackles (eight for loss) and tie for second on the team with four sacks behind Anderson. He also added nine quarterback hurries and recovered one fumble that he returned for a touchdown.

Turner will be part of a linebackers group that also features Chris Braswell and Deonte Lawson. Those three are expected to be the starters heading into the year, but others such as Quandarrius Robinson and transfer Trezmen Marshall could also contribute.

Saban isn’t the only one who’s taken notice of Turner’s leadership, as Lawson also commented on it earlier this month.

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

As Turner aims to fill the shoes Anderson left behind, he’ll hope to continue to earn the respect of his coaches and teammates. Alabama kicks off the season on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee.

Dallas Turner opens up on impact Will Anderson had on him at Alabama

Speaking with the media at SEC Media Days, Turner elaborated on the feelings he and the rest of the Alabama defense has for Anderson.

“I mean, more importantly, like, Will, he has paved the way for a lot of guys in the linebacker room,” explained Turner. “There are also guys that can come and fill those shoes, replace him in some way, like Chris BraswellKeanu KohtQuandarrius RobinsonJeremiah Alexander, guys like that.

“A lot of guys like that looked up to Will, seeing what he did, seeing him grow, make mistakes. We just learned from that, keep going off of it.”

Anderson finished with 34.5 sacks over his three seasons at Alabama. Now Turner, who has 12.5 sacks in two years, will hope to use the lessons he learned to fill the void.