Versatile Turner impresses
Payton Turner has captured the imagination of NFL scouts and coaches eager to plug him into their schemes as a versatile contributor.
At 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, the University of Houston standout provides a hybrid aspect to any front seven. Because of his athleticism, size and long arms with an 84-inch wingspan that’s the longest for an edge pass rusher since 1999, Turner is regarded as an intriguing draft prospect.
“Turner has a lot of upside, a lot of tools and he’s a good guy,” an NFL scout said. “It wouldn’t shock me to see him go as high as the second or third round or as low as the fourth or fifth round depending on how the draft unfolds. We’re always looking for someone who can rush the passer and he has that kind of potential.”
At the Senior Bowl last week, the Westside graduate emerged as a popular target for teams. They regard him as a rising draft prospect.
“At the next level, my best ball can be in front of me,” said Turner. “My versatility has been the talk of the town with these teams. It’s surprising, but not too surprising. After not getting so much attention, to hear how high they are on me and meet all these general managers and coaches you see on television and they want to talk to you, it’s different.”
Although Turner operated as a pure defensive end the past two seasons, NFL personnel envision him as more than just a traditional defensive lineman.
During a pass rushing drill in Mobile, Ala., Turner got around an offensive tackle with a well-executed move by chopping away the blocker’s hands and then dipping his body to create leverage for a rip to drive him backwards.
“I’ve heard defensive end, outside linebacker, I’ve heard it all,” Turner said. “Some teams see me all over the line, bouncing down to a three-technique to get an extra pass rusher on third downs. The more you can add, the more versatility you have, the higher your value becomes. I’m just learning, taking it all in and all the coaching.
“I’ve only played on the edge for three years. I just keep getting better at it.”
Turner’s ascent isn’t surprising considering his physical tools and work ethic. In five games last season for the Coogs, Turner had a breakout year with 25 tackles, 10½ for losses and five sacks. He was named second-team all-conference.
He’s hoping to follow a similar path to Buffalo defensive tackle Ed Oliver, his former high school and college teammate.
“I was actually just talking to him and chopping it up,” Turner said. “Ed told me about the process and he kept telling me pass rush is so important. With my frame and athletic ability, I can boost my stock. Him talking to me about that was big-time.”
Turner arrived on campus as a 238-pound freshman, up from 217 pounds at the end of his high school career. He bulked up to 290 pounds to play inside initially. Then, he lost 20 pounds heading into his final season to play outside and maximize his mobility.
“I ate a lot when I first got to school,” Turner said. “Originally, I wasn’t on the edge. I played four-I in the old scheme and I got up to 290 pounds. My sophomore year, I dropped some weight and I didn’t know if I would play on the edge. I broke my foot and missed spring ball and the summer. It turned out we needed help on the edge.
“They thought I was quick enough to play on the edge. I was about 285, so I dropped a little weight.”
Turner is regarded highly for his quickness, has aboveaverage moves and is instinctive. His background playing inside allows him to use his hands well to defeat blockers.
Besides the standard bullrush, outside swim moves and long-arm power moves, Turner has an inside spin move working in his favor.
“Rushing the passer is so important,” Turner said. “Quarterbacks are becoming so much better and the game is changing, so pass rushers are put on a premium.”
Turner, who has been training at Exos in Frisco, met with all of the teams at the Senior Bowl.
“I’m really into getting feedback and information,” Turner said. “They want to know about my family and why this year has been my year as far as stats. I told them I finally got some consistency and a full offseason and was more aggressive and able to show off my athleticism. What I’m hearing back from them is the confidence they have in me.”