Ezekiel Turner (born June 9, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Washington Huskies as a defensive back and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL draft.[1] Turner was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team as a special teamer in the 2018 NFL season.
| Personal information | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | June 9, 1996 Pasadena, Maryland, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 214 lb (97 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Glen Burnie (MD) | ||||||
| College: | Los Angeles Pierce (2014) Washington (2015–2017) | ||||||
| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||
| Undrafted: | 2018 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of 2023 | |||||||
| |||||||
College career
editTurner enrolled at the University of Washington in January 2015 and played as a defensive back for the Washington Huskies his remaining college career.[2] He was named Huskies Special Teams Player of the Week four different times in his college career and selected as the co-winner of the Special Teams MVP in the 2016 season.[2] Turner played 12 of 13 games and started one game in his sophomore season. His first start was against Stanford University, where he had a total of seven tackles.[2]
Tuner played in 13 of 14 games during his junior season in 2016. He had a tackle for loss and had an interception in the 2016 Pac-12 Football Championship Game vs. the Colorado Buffaloes.[2] He was selected as the co-winner of the Special Teams MVP award following his junior season after totaling 23 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and one forced fumble.[2]
Turner played all 13 games and started three games during his senior season in 2017. He totaled five tackles, including one tackle for a loss, in his season opener against the Rutgers.[2]
Turner totaled six tackles and a 41-yard interception return against the Washington State Cougars in the 110th Annual Apple Cup and was named special teams player of the week.[2]
College statistics
editWashington Huskies
| |||||||||||||||||
| Year | Class | Position | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | Loss | Sack | Int | Yards | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yards | TD | FF | ||||
| 2015 | Sophomore | DB | 12 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2016 | Junior | DB | 13 | 18 | 5 | 23 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2017 | Senior | DB | 13 | 40 | 15 | 55 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 41 | 41.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career | DB | 38 | 71 | 29 | 100 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 2 | 41 | 41.0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |||
Source:[3]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (1.87 m) |
212 lb (96 kg) |
31+1⁄2 in (0.80 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.65 s | 1.58 s | 2.66 s | 4.41 s | 6.95 s | 30.5 in (0.77 m) |
9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) |
19 reps | |
| All values from Pro Day[4] | ||||||||||||
Arizona Cardinals
editTurner signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018.[5] He played in all 16 games, finished third in the league with 16 total special teams tackles, and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team as a special teamer.[6]
On September 13, 2020, in the season opener, Turner blocked a punt against San Francisco 49ers' punter Mitch Wishnowsky in the first-quarter. Turner's teammate Dennis Gardeck recovered and advanced the ball five yards to the 49ers' 10-yard line.[7][8] On December 20, 2020, in Week 15, Turner blocked a punt against Philadelphia Eagles' punter Cameron Johnston in the first-quarter. The ball bounced out of bounds at the Eagles' 6-yard line, which ended the Eagles' drive on a turnover on downs. In the fourth-quarter, on fourth-and-2, Turner caught a 26-yard reception from his punter Andy Lee on a successful fake punt resulting in a first-down for the Cardinals.[9]
The Cardinals placed a restricted free agent tender on Turner on March 15, 2021.[10] He signed the one-year contract on April 19.[11] He was placed on injured reserve on October 13, 2021 with a shoulder injury.[12] He was activated on January 17, 2022.[13]
On March 18, 2022, Turner re-signed with the Cardinals.[14]
On March 15, 2023, Turner signed a one-year contract extension with the Cardinals.[15]
San Francisco 49ers
editOn March 20, 2024, Turner signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[16] He was released on August 14.[17]
Houston Texans
editOn August 28, 2024, Turner was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.[18] He was released on October 1.
Seattle Seahawks
editOn October 8, 2024, Turner was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.[19] He was released on October 25.
Professional statistics
edit| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
edit| Career statistics | Games | Tackles | Snaps | Receiving | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | GS | Total | Solo | Ast | Def. | Pct | ST | Pct | Tgt | Rec | Yds |
| 2018 | ARI | 16 | 1 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 18 | 2% | 347 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | ARI | 12 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | <1% | 293 | 62% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | ARI | 16 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 6 | <1% | 348 | 79% | 1 | 1 | 26 |
| 2021 | ARI | 5 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2% | 95 | 68% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | ARI | 15 | 1 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 107 | 11% | 328 | 81% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | ARI | 16 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 12 | 50 | 5% | 345 | 83% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 80 | 3 | 83 | 45 | 38 | 190 | — | 1,756 | — | 1 | 1 | 26 | |
References
edit- ^ "Undrafted Washington safety Ezekiel Turner (Glen Burnie) signs with Cardinals".
- ^ a b c d e f g "Washington Huskies". Washington Huskies. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "Washington Huskies". Washington Huskies. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Draft Scout Ezekiel Turner, Washington NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Urban, Darren (April 30, 2018). "Cardinals Bring In 24 Undrafted Rookies". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- ^ "2018 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ Williams, Charean (September 13, 2020). "Cardinals get blocked punt, fourth-down stop of 49ers to stay close". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Punt block awakens Cardinals after slow start in first half vs. 49ers". Arizona Sports. September 13, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Ezekiel Turner Proves Special In Close Win Over Eagles". www.azcardinals.com. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ Urban, Darren (March 15, 2021). "Cardinals Extend Tender Offers To Dennis Gardeck, Ezekiel Turner". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ Urban, Darren (April 19, 2021). "Ezekiel Turner Signs Tender Offer To Stay With Cardinals". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ Urban, Darren (October 13, 2021). "Maxx Williams Placed On Injured Reserve In Flurry Of Moves". AZCardinals.com.
- ^ Urban, Darren (January 17, 2022). "Watt A Comeback: Cardinals Officially Activate J.J. Watt". AZCardinals.com.
- ^ "Cardinals Agree With Linebacker Ezekiel Turner On New Contract". AZCardinals.com. March 18, 2022.
- ^ Urban, Darren (March 15, 2023). "Cardinals Re-Sign Will Hernandez, Ezekiel Turner". AZCardinals.com.
- ^ "49ers Sign LB Ezekiel Turner to a One-Year Deal". 49ers.com. March 20, 2024.
- ^ "49ers Sign Defensive Lineman, Release a Linebacker". 49ers.com. August 14, 2024.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-28-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 28, 2024.
- ^ Boyle, John (October 8, 2024). "Seahawks Sign LB Ezekiel Turner To Practice Squad". Seahawks.com.