Newsstand: Steve Clinkscale calls Michigan CB DJ Turner a 'game changer'
Michigan On TV
What: Michigan wrestling at the Big Ten Championships
Where: Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
When: 10 a.m.
Channel: Big Ten Network
Tweets Of The Day
Former Michigan cornerback DJ Turner ran a 4.26-second official 40-yard dash time, the fastest of any player so far at the 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Combine. Turner’s blazing time is tied for the fourth-fastest in combine history.
Speaking with PFF, Michigan co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale said Turner can be a game changer “with his speed, ability and mind.”
“Has all the football attributes to be a great player. Extremely smart player whose best football is ahead of him.”
Former Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith put up 34 reps to lead all defensive linemen (225 pounds). Edge rusher Lonnie Phelps of Kansas posted 31 reps to come in second. Only three others had 30 reps. The combine bench press record is 49 reps, set by former Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea in 2011. Eleven players have gone over 40 reps.
Smith did not go through any other exercises due to a hamstring tweak. He told NFL Network he has to “kill it” at Michigan’s March 17 pro day, which he’s planning on being a full participant at.
Before Thursday, Morris spoke with reporters and added to the anticipation of what Smith could do at the event.
“I think he’ll do amazing. Mazi was the No. 1 freak in college football,” Morris said of his Michigan teammate. “Y’all don’t see what I see. Mazi’s not a human being.”
Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, a projected first-round pick, ended his Buckeye career winless against Michigan. He said that fact was a factor in him considering returning to school for his senior season. He also believes he “could have” won the Heisman Trophy the last two seasons had he led his team to victories over Michigan. His team lost by 15 points in 2021 and 22 points in 2022 (had a controversial call at the end gone the correct way, Michigan likely would’ve won by 29 points).
Quote Of The Day
“I just learned that God doesn’t always give you what you want when you need it, when you want it. That process was a learning process for me, it was a growth process. I could’ve easily left Michigan and went to a different school, but I was compelled to say and rough it out and figure it out on my own. I had my family with me, my teammates with me, so that was easy. The new coaching staff helped a lot, too. I was able to push through it and help myself get on the team.” — Michigan EDGE Mike Morris on his journey with the Wolverines, speaking at the NFL Combine
