Michigan football and the recruiting battle for top-5 DE Dallas Turner

Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama - January 1, 2020

A Michigan cheerleader waves a Block M flag after a touchdown in the first quarter of the football team's Vrbo Citrus Bowl game against Alabama at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, on Wednesday, January 1, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Michigan had a flurry of verbal commitments last week, adding three prospects to its 2021 class.

One was four-star linebacker Jaydon Hood, the Wolverines' second pledge from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas in the class. They also are in the running from another top prospect from Aquinas in four-star defensive end Dallas Turner.

RANKING: No. 2 weak-side defensive end, No. 10 overall prospect in Florida and No. 46 in the country, according to the 247Sports composite

SIZE: 6-foot-4, 235 pounds

THE BATTLE: Turner has more than 30 offers. He announced a top 10 list in March: Michigan, South Carolina, Penn State, Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, Ohio State, Miami, Oregon, and Florida.

GEOGRAPHY FACTOR: Most recruiting experts believe Turner’s preference is to remain in the southeast, with Alabama and Georgia as the leaders at this point. Florida and Florida State both made his top-10 list and would give him a chance to continue his football career in his home state, although Gainesville is nearly a five-hour drive from Fort Lauderdale. However, Turner told The Wolverine that distance isn’t a major element in his recruitment.

WHAT ARE MICHIGAN’S CHANCES? The Wolverines have a few factors working in their favor with Turner. First, two of his high school teammates -- Hood and three-star cornerback Ja'Den McBurrows -- are already pledged to Michigan. Turner also said the Wolverines would be a good scheme fit for him in a Josh Uche role at "SAM" linebacker -- a hybrid end-linebacker role with an emphasis on rushing the quarterback.

“I like Michigan a lot,” Turner told The Wolverines last week. “I like the way they would use me as a replacement for Josh Uche. I also like how they would move me around and drop me back into coverages, which would show my versatility. Also, I like the education, the business program and what they offer when it comes to life after football.”

The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder visited Michigan for the 2018 game against Penn State and said he is looking to take an official visit to Ann Arbor after the recruiting restrictions are lifted. He also plans to visit Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma.

“I like the atmosphere a lot,” Turner told The Wolverine. “I like the campus environment. I like how there is always something going on around you. It’s thriving. The alumni base is crazy as well. On my official, I just want to do a campus tour and stuff like that.”

However, it appears Michigan still has work to do in Turner's recruitment. Of the six 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, four are in favor of Georgia, while the other two are Alabama projections.

THE MICHIGAN NEED: The Wolverines currently have three defensive ends pledged in the 2021 class, but Turner would bring the most skill and versatility at the position. The program brought in four ends in the 2020 class as well, including two four-star prospects. Michigan continues to build depth at the position as it could lose two starters after the 2020 season: Kwity Paye (senior) and Aidan Hutchinson (junior).

WHAT’S THIS GUY DO? According to the scouting report from 247Sports’ Andrew Irvins, Turner is “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.”

STATS/ACCOLADES: Turner spent his first three years at Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage High. Last season, he finished with 74 tackles and 15 sacks en route to being named the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Broward County Class 5A-1A Defensive Player of the Year.

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