Dallas Turner

Dallas Turner (born February 2, 2003) is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he named a consensus All-American and the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. Turner was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life and high school career
Turner grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and initially attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida. As a junior, he was named the area Defensive Player of the Year by the Sun-Sentinel after finishing the season with 74 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and three forced fumbles. After the season Turner transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Turner was rated a five-star recruit and committed to play college football at Alabama entering his senior season after considering offers from Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Oklahoma. He had 36 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks as a senior.

College career
Turner began his freshman season as part of Alabama's defensive pass rush rotation before starting his first career game against Texas A&M. He was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team. He tied for the lead in the SEC in sacks with ten in 2023. In a loss to Tennessee in the 2022 season, he had an 11-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. He was a Consensus All-American in 2023. He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Turner declared for the 2024 NFL draft following Alabama's loss in the 2024 Rose Bowl.

Professional career
Turner was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.