Dallas Turner on his biggest shock in the NFL: 'Everybody's human'

Entering a new chapter in life can be scary. However, it hasn’t taken long for Minnesota Vikings rookie linebacker Dallas Turner to get comfortable at the next level.

“The most surprising part in my opinion is probably like everybody’s human, everybody is a regular person,” Turner said. “You hear the NFL, and you think guys are like super dudes, everybody is all serious, but people are regular people. They laugh, smile and joke just like us. Everybody has a personality, too, and it’s not just football at the end of the day.”

If football is involved, Turner can find success. In the 2023 campaign at Alabama, Turner tallied 53 tackles, a team-high 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, which led the SEC. He was named a finalist for the Bednarik Award, which is presented to the nation’s top defender.

Moreover, he was named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports, The Athletic and USA Today. In turn, the Vikings selected Turner with the the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

While Turner’s teammates may not be as imposing as he once assumed, the former Alabama standout has been stunned by the work ethic necessary to succeed in the NFL.

“The workload from Alabama to the NFL in general is definitely a transition, but it’s a good transition with the workload and how intense things are,” Turner said. “I feel like it’s more of a technical thing at the NFL level, really understanding what you’re doing. But I got a lot of great work at Alabama, too — it got me here.

“At the end of the day, you’ve still gotta work, and we haven’t even put pads on yet. So you know, I can’t really say I did anything yet. I’m just staying humble. I haven’t even played a game yet. So there’s still a lot more work to do, a lot more proving to do. But I’m definitely excited for what the future holds and for what me and my guys are going to do this season.”

The Vikings will welcome Turner’s help with open arms. The team’s defense allowed 333.2 yards per game last season, ranking No. 17 in the NFL. The Vikings finished the season with a 7-10 record and failed to reach the NFL Playoffs.

With Dallas Turner by their side, the Vikings will look to return to former heights in the 2024 campaign. The franchise has not advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs since 2017.