Clemson Football: Turner makes push for Buccaneers roster spot

In some ways Nolan Turner was not your typical Clemson football recruit.  In some ways it was predictable that Turner would matriculate to Clemson under Dabo Swinney.

A zero star recruit out of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Turner is the son of Dabo’s college teammate, Kevin Turner, who passed away the same year Nolan enrolled at Clemson.

Many were critical of the move at the time, wondering why a powerhouse such as Clemson would recruit an unranked recruit, other than the obvious connection.

While those concerns over a valuable scholarship can be valid and similar offers have not always turned out to be productive, Turner took his opportunity and made the most of it, slowly becoming a huge part of the team.

It wasn’t always pretty, but football doesn’t lend itself to linear progress.  There’s generally fits and starts, progress and regression, before there’s a breakthrough.

Turner went on to have a huge game-ending interception in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State and was named team captain in 2020 and led the team in interceptions.

Against all odds Turner is now trying to climb an even bigger mountain: Making the final roster with the NFLs Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Whether Clemson football alumnus Nolan Turner makes the final cut in Tampa Bay or not, he’s accomplished more than most thought he would

A talented Bucs defense and a crowded safety room will make it a tough call for the Bucs on whether or not to keep the rookie free agent, but Turner’s exceeded expectations in Tampa’s camp, gaining the praise of coaches and teammates alike.

There is belief among those that follow the Bucs that Turner has made a strong case for inclusion on the roster with his play at safety and on specials teams and with a good showing tonight in the preseason finale, he could make the active roster.

Whether he makes it with the Bucs or not, Turner has accomplished so much more than anyone expected when Dabo extended that offer back in January of 2016.

I was probably one of those complaining when that offer was made, but I’ve learned over the years to trust Dabo in these situations.  They’re not all going to work out, but players like Nolan Turner are the fabric of the program and are part of what makes Clemson different.