Dallas Turner, a four-star defensive end from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, verbally committed to Alabama on Wednesday. Turner picked the Crimson Tide over more than 30 scholarship offers from around the country, most of them coming from the Power Five.
Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Oklahoma were finalists for Turner's talents in addition to Alabama. The 6-foot-4, 235 pound edge prospect is the No. 2 weakside defensive end, No. 10 prospect in Florida and the No. 44 overall recruit for the 2021 class, per 247Sports Composite rankings.
"I trust that program a lot. The amount of greatness at that program, the high expectations they have for their players on and off the field," Turner told CBS Sports HQ after making his announcement. "Everyone who had left Alabama said they met their full potential there and I felt I could do it there."
As a junior in 2019, Turner (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) totaled 75 tackles and 15 sacks at American Heritage High School and was named a MaxPreps High School Junior All-American.
His 247Sports scouting report from Andrew Ivans compares Turner to Buffalo Bills DE Shaq Lawson:
Already developed in the upper half, but room to add only more muscle. A plus wingspan with big hands. Shows good control of the body and balance which likely stems from basketball background. Explosive out of his stance, screaming off the edge. Terrific motor and always in hunting mode. Dangerous on twists inside. Has spent much of prep career with hand in the dirt, but moves well enough to play some linebacker and actually spent time the spring before his senior season dropping back into coverage as a safety for his 7-on-7 team. Will need to get better against the run and learn how to attack inside, but should develop into a multi-year starter for a Power 5 program given athletic profile. NFL Draft potential.
Turner's commitment is Alabama's 10th for the 2021 cycle. After initially starting slow, the Tide have started to build the type of class that has been customary under coach Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. Alabama now has the 19th-ranked class with eight of its 10 commitments being of the blue-chip variety and ranking among the top 247 recruits nationally per 247Sports.
Alabama has finished with a top-five class every year since 2008.
Turner comes from athletic background. His father, Delon, played college basketball at Florida A&M and ranks as the second all-time scorer and third all-time rebounder in program history.
