Byron Turner stresses importance of offseason work after injury setbacks

Florida State defensive end Byron Turner is ready to show what he can do in 2023. After being limited by injuries in his first two seasons, Turner is making the most a chance to prove himself this spring.

Turner has seen an uptick in reps lately with the recent transfer of Derrick McLendon. That’s given himself an opportunity to move up the depth chart and possibly earn a key reserve role ahead of this season.

“This spring is major important,” Turner said after Tuesday’s practice. “My first two years I had injuries. First year I had surgery. Second year I pulled a hamstring. This is really my first chance of really getting a chance to play. So all the reps that I can get up in this spring and throughout the season, it means a lot to me. It’s very important.”

Turner arrived in Tallahassee in 2021 as the No. 400 overall prospect and No. 41 edge defender according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He sat out all of his first season before appearing in eight games in 2022. He totaled just three tackles this past season.

With as much time as he’s missed, Turner knows he has to show coaches he can stay on the field. That’s why the reps he’s been getting this spring are vital as he hopes to carve out a spot in the rotation.

“It makes a big difference stacking practices,” he said. “They always tell you you play how you practice and practice how you perform. So practices stacking up is getting me ready for the season.”

Florida State returns star defensive end Jared Verse and ACC Rookie of the Year Patrick Payton, so the chance that Byron Turner gets a starting role is slim. He’s also got competition from South Carolina transfer Gilber Edmond.

Turner admits he still has a long way to go to get where he wants to be. But with spring practice set to wrap up in just two weeks, he’s continued to keep the right mindset as the FSU defense hopes to take a step forward in the ACC this season.

“I’ve still got a lot to work on,” he said. “Everything that I’ve been working on I’ve just gotta keeping working on and perfecting it. It’s came a long way from where I began, but it’s still everything that I need to work on.”