Michigan kicker James Turner signing with Detroit Lions
Michigan Wolverines kicker James Turner is staying close to home, agreeing to a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions after going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Saline, Michigan native converted 18-of-21 field goals with a 50-yard long and a perfect 12-of-12 mark inside 40 yards during the 2023 campaign as the heir apparent to Jake Moody, who was selected in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Turner was the ninth-ranked kicker in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
He was one of the most underrated pieces on the Michigan national title squad this year. His three field goals against Ohio State (37, 38, and 50 yards) earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week helped secure the team’s third-straight win over the Buckeyes.
“I never thought I would do that in that [Ohio State] game, for sure, so that was awesome.,” Turner admitted. “It was just crazy — surreal. Then the Rose Bowl … I said in a recent interview it’s kind of a Midwest kid’s dream to go to the Rose Bowl. Everyone looks forward to the Rose Bowl, and I was always watching.”
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Heading to Detroit could give Turner a chance to win a starting kicking job. The Lions, who famously elect to ignore field goals and go for it on fourth down when the situation calls for it, re-signed Michael Badgley this offseason. However, there is a need for consistent kicking with a big leg. The Michigan kicker has both of those traits and has made some critical kicks in key moments in his career.
Turner is the sixth Michigan player to sign as an undrafted free agent, joining center Drake Nugent (San Francisco 49ers), tackle Trente Jones (Green Bay Packers), cornerback Josh Wallace (Los Angeles Rams), EDGE Braiden McGregor (New York Jets) and Karsen Barnhart (Los Angeles Chargers).
Michigan set a program record over the weekend with 13 players selected in the three-day NFL Draft held in Detroit.
