The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1495881
32 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2023 Cornerback DJ Turner posted an eye-popping time of 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash –– the fourth-fastest time recorded at the NFL Combine since 2003. PHOTO COURTESY NFL.COM 2023 NFL DRAFT PREVIEW The Wolverines Are Sending Another Healthy Dose Of Talent To The NFL Draft BY ANTHONY BROOME T he NFL Draft runs from April 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo., and there should be several Wolverines selected in the event. Here's where things stand for each draft hopeful heading into late March. CORNERBACK DJ TURNER Projected: Second/third-round pick DJ Turner may not have been the Michigan prospect with the most buzz heading into the 2023 NFL Combine, but he left Indianap- olis with that abso- lutely being the case. Turner was one of the top stories at the combine on March 3, running an official 4.26 in the 40-yard dash, tied for the fourth-best perfor- mance in the past 20 years. While Turner had been a very good player on the Wol- verine defense, his speed caught even the most diehard of fans and draftniks by surprise. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Washington wide receiver John Ross (4.22 in 2017), Baylor cornerback Kalon Barnes (4.23 in 2022) and East Caro- lina running back Chris Johnson (4.24 in 2008) still hold the three fastest marks this century, but Turner has now put himself on a historic pedestal alongside their efforts. His time of 4.26 ties him for fourth with UTSA's Tariq Woolen (2022, fifth round, Seattle Seahawks), Kent State's Dri Archer (2014, third round, Pitts- burgh Steelers) and Hampton's Jerome Mathis (2005, fourth round, Houston Texans). Once Turner's jumps were recorded and his 40-yard dash time was made official, he opted out of the rest of the workouts and saved his on-field work for U-M's Pro Day on March 17. "I just wanted to show how fluid I am as a DB," Turner said in Ann Arbor. "That was the main focus. At the Com- bine, I showed how fast I am and how explosive I am. Today was just focusing on showing how fluid I am as a DB." FASTEST 40-YARD DASHES IN NFL COMBINE SINCE '03 Rk. Player (School, Year) Time 1. John Ross (Washington, 2017) 4.22 2. Kalon Barnes (Baylor, 2022) 4.23 3. Chris Johnson (East Carolina, 2008) 4.24 4. DJ Turner (Michigan, 2023) 4.26 Tariq Woolen (UTSA, 2022) Dri Archer (Kent State, 2014) Jerome Mathis (Hampton, 2005)