Trai Turner
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{distinguish|Trea Turner|Tré Turner}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Trai Turner
| image = Trai Turner 2022 (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Turner with the Washington Commanders in 2022
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Offensive guard
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|6|14}}
| birth_place = New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 320
| high_school = St. Augustine (New Orleans)
| college = LSU (2011–2013)
| draftyear = 2014
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 92
| pastteams =
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2014|2019}})
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Washington Commanders ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2023}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statseason = 2023
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 126
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 118
| pfr = TurnTr01
}}
Trai Denzell Turner (born June 14, 1993) is an American professional football offensive guard. He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft, where he made the Pro Bowl every year from 2015 to 2019. Turner has also played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders.
Early life
Turner attended St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He played offensive tackle for their football team, helping St. Augustine average over 300 yards rushing a game.{{cite web |url=http://highschoolsports.nola.com/player/trai-turner/ |title=Trai Turner Football Bio @ St. Augustine High School - nola.com |website=highschoolsports.nola.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913031120/http://highschoolsports.nola.com/player/trai-turner/ |archive-date=2010-09-13}}
{{College athlete recruit start|40=yes|collapse=no|year=2011}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Trai Turner
| position = OG
| hometown = New Orleans, LA
| highschool = St. Augustine
| feet = 6
| inches = 5
| weight = 345
| 40 = 5.10
| commitdate = February 2, 2011
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 4
| 247 stars = 4
| espn grade = 76
}}
{{College athlete recruit end
| 40 = yes
| year = 2011
| rivals ref title = 2011 LSU Football Commitments
| scout ref title = 2011 LSU Football Recruiting Commits
| espn ref title = ESPN
| rivals school = lsu
| scout s = 107
| espn schoolid = 2509
| scout overall = 16 (OG)
| rivals overall = 14 (OG), 13 (LA)
| espn overall = 49 (DE)
| access-date = September 11, 2014
}}
College career
Turner attended Louisiana State University (LSU) from 2011 to 2013. After redshirting as a freshman in 2011, he played in 12 games and made seven starts as a redshirt freshman.{{Cite web |title=Trai Turner Bio |url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205087847 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319041939/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205087847 |archive-date=2014-03-19 |website=LSU Tigers Athletics}} He made his first start at right guard in a win over number 3 ranked South Carolina. In 559 snaps, Turner finished second on the team with 51 pancake blocks. LSU had a 100-yard rusher from four of the seven games in which Turner started. In his redshirt sophomore year, Turner started and played in all 13 games.
In his final collegiate game at the 2014 Outback Bowl, Turner registered a season-high 10 pancake blocks and helped pave the way for 220 rushing yards against Iowa in a win. For his career, Turner played a total of 1,416 snaps with 115 pancake blocks. He opted to forgo final two years of eligibility at LSU and entered into the 2014 NFL draft after his sophomore season.{{cite web | last=Goodbread | first=Chase | title=LSU OL Trai Turner intends to enter NFL draft | website=NFL.com | date=2014-01-13 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lsu-ol-trai-turner-intends-to-enter-nfl-draft-0ap2000000312779 | access-date=2024-10-22}}{{Cite web |last=Kleinpeter |first=Jim |date=2014-01-13 |title=LSU guard Trai Turner leaving Tigers for NFL draft |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/lsu-guard-trai-turner-leaving-tigers-for-nfl-draft/article_53dce42b-a891-5c67-bd01-377803ddecf9.html |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 5/8
| weight = 310
| dash = 4.93
| ten split = 1.80
| twenty split = 2.89
| shuttle = 4.77
| cone drill = 8.16
| vertical = 27.5
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 6
| bench = 25
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 34
| hand span = 9 1/2
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/trai-turner/32005455-5271-5469-754e-1592b0d0153c |title=Trai Turner Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=November 15, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=119563&DraftYear=2014 |title=2014 Draft Scout Trai Turner, LSU NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=November 15, 2022}}
}}
=Carolina Panthers=
File:Trai Turner 2016.JPG in 2016]]
Turner was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round (92nd overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=Panthers draft G Turner in third round|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-draft-G-Turner-in-third-round/3414d084-35fa-4828-a2b8-82ff8470b668|author=Henson, Max|website=Panthers.com|date=May 9, 2014|access-date=July 20, 2017|archive-date=May 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514062248/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-draft-G-Turner-in-third-round/3414d084-35fa-4828-a2b8-82ff8470b668|url-status=dead}} On June 4, 2014, Turner signed a four-year contract.[http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/9565/trai-turner Trai Turner Rotoworld NFL Player Page] As a rookie, during the preseason, Turner won the starting right guard position on the Panther offensive line over veteran Chris Scott. Turner made his NFL debut on September 7, 2014, in Carolina's 20–14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{cite web|title=Panthers 20, Buccaneers 14|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-20-Buccaneers-14/5c104d48-ea7d-4436-99d9-c300c9e2c756|date=September 7, 2014|website=Panthers.com|access-date=September 11, 2014|archive-date=May 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518234102/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-20-Buccaneers-14/5c104d48-ea7d-4436-99d9-c300c9e2c756|url-status=dead}} Turner made his first NFL start during the Panthers week 5 victory over the Chicago Bears. His emergence into the starting lineup helped the Panthers rank seventh in the NFL in rushing, including a league-leading 975 yards over the last five games.{{cite web|title=Carolina Panthers bio|url=http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/Trai-Turner/33a0df94-2643-48f3-8415-fe5bf7039e39|website=Panthers.com}} On December 23, 2014, Turner was named to Sports Illustrated All-Rookie Team.{{cite web|title=Derek Carr, Odell Beckham Jr., Aaron Donald headline All-Rookie Team|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2014/12/23/best-nfl-rookies-2014-teddy-bridgewater-aaron-donald|website=SI.com|date=December 23, 2014}} Through 618 snaps in the season, Turner did not allow a single sack and Turner surrendered just 11 quarterback disruptions.
Through the first three games of the 2015 season, he did not allow a sack and surrendered just three quarterback pressures. Turner had not allowed a sack for the past 627 snaps, the third-longest streak in the NFL at left guard. Turner was selected for his first career Pro Bowl during the season.{{cite web|title=ESPN reveals Carolina Panthers most underrated player|url=https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/article/trai-turner-carolina-panthers-underrated-46147649/|website=247Sports.com|date=July 8, 2016}} On September 6, 2016, Turner became the first solo offensive lineman since Nate Newton to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.{{cite tweet|number=773192015072952321|user=mitchgoldich|title=An @SInow cover for Trai Turner....|date=September 6, 2016}} Turner played in Super Bowl 50.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201602070den.htm|title=Super Bowl 50 - Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers - February 7th, 2016|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=September 2, 2017}}
Turner started all 16 games in 2016, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl. On July 20, 2017, Turner signed a four-year, $45 million contract extension with $20.5 million guaranteed.{{cite web|title=Trai Turner agrees to four-year Panthers extension|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000820990/article/panthers-extend-pro-bowl-guard-trai-turner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111110319/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000820990/article/panthers-extend-pro-bowl-guard-trai-turner|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2018|author=Sessler, Marc|website=NFL.com|date=July 20, 2017}} He started 13 games in 2017 before missing the final three games with a concussion. He returned in the wild card round of the playoffs, playing in every offensive snap as the Panthers lost 31–26 to the Saints. Turner was named to his third straight Pro Bowl as an injury replacement.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Graham Gano, Trai Turner named to Pro Bowl roster |url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Graham-Gano-Trai-Turner-named-to-Pro-Bowl-roster/4274fcc4-09c1-48eb-b69f-36f0f0a9489a |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Panthers.com}} Turner started 13 games in 2018, missing Week 2 and 3 with a concussion and Week 17 with an ankle injury. He also was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl. He started 13 games in 2019, missing three due to injury. Furthermore, Turner was named to his fifth straight Pro Bowl.{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2019/probowl.htm |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
=Los Angeles Chargers=
Turner was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for Russell Okung on March 18, 2020.{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2020 |title=Los Angeles Chargers Acquire Five-Time Pro Bowl Guard Trai Turner |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-acquire-five-time-pro-bowl-guard-trai-turner |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Chargers.com}} He started nine games at right guard before being released on March 12, 2021.{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2021 |title=Trai Turner and Malik Jefferson Released |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/trai-turner-and-malik-jefferson-released |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Chargers.com}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
Turner signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on June 25, 2021.{{cite news |author=Varley, Teresa |title=Steelers sign Turner |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-turner |website=Steelers.com |date=June 25, 2021 |access-date=June 25, 2021}}
=Washington Commanders=
Turner signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders on May 3, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-sign-pro-bowl-guard-trai-turner|work=Commanders.com|title=Commanders sign 5-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner|date=May 3, 2022|accessdate=May 3, 2022|first=Zach|last=Selby}} He was named the starting right guard by the start of the 2022 season. In Week 4, Turner was benched in favor of Saahdiq Charles with head coach Ron Rivera stating "Trai isn't quite where he needs to be yet" following the end of the game.{{cite web|work=NBCSports.com|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/commanders/saahdiq-charles-trai-turner-and-washingtons-changing-right-guard|title=Charles, Turner and Washington's changing of the (right) guard|date=October 6, 2022|first=Peter|last=Hailey}} After playing in a reserve role for three games straight, Turner returned as a starter in Week 8.{{cite web|work=Commanders.com|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-s-offensive-line-has-been-fantastic-during-commanders-winning-streak|title=Practice report {{!}} Washington's offensive line has been 'fantastic' during Commanders' winning streak|date=December 1, 2022|accessdate=December 4, 2022|first=Zach|last=Selby}}
= New Orleans Saints =
On July 25, 2023, Turner signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Jesse |date=2023-07-24 |title=Saints sign former Pro Bowl guard and NOLA native Trai Turner to one-year deal |url=https://www.fox8live.com/2023/07/25/saints-sign-former-pro-bowl-guard-nola-native-trai-turner-one-year-deal/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.fox8live.com |language=en}} He suffered a torn quad three days later and was ruled out for the season.{{Cite web |last=Alper, Josh |date=July 28, 2023 |title=Trai Turner out for year with torn quad |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/trai-turner-out-for-year-with-torn-quad |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}} He was placed on injured reserve three days later.{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2023 |title=Saints' Trai Turner: Lands on IR |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/saints-trai-turner-lands-on-ir/amp/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=CBSSports.com}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Twitter|trai_turner}}
- [http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205087847 LSU Tigers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319041939/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205087847 |date=March 19, 2014 }}
{{Panthers2014DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Turner, Trai}}
Category:St. Augustine High School (New Orleans) alumni
Category:Players of American football from New Orleans
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:LSU Tigers football players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Los Angeles Chargers players
Category:Unconferenced Pro Bowl players
Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players