Alabama’s Turner Named Bednarik Finalist

Alabama outside linebacker and sack specialist Dallas Turner was named as a finalist for the Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday morning.

That word came just an hour after kicker Will Reichard was named one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award.

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Turner is joined by Laiatu Latu (UCLA) and Payton Wilson (NC State) to make up the group of finalists. The 2023 winner of the Bednarik Award will be announced live on ESPN as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8.

 Alabama has had three Bednarik winners in its history, including Jonathan Allen (2016), Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017) and most recently, Will Anderson Jr. (2022).

 Turner is considered one of the nation’s top pass-rushers as he has 44 quarterback pressures on the season. He's recorded 46 tackles, including a team-high 12.5 for loss (-81 yards) and eight sacks (-61 yards).

The junior is tied for third in the SEC and ninth nationally in sacks while ranking in the top-10 in the conference for tackles for loss. He's also contributed a team-leading 13 quarterback hurries to go with two forced fumbles and a pass breakup.

Turner and fellow starting edge rusher Chris Braswell have "meet at the quarterback" competitions every day at practice as well as in games. Their ability to put pressure on Georgia quarterback Carson Beck will be a key to Saturday's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. You can hear that contest on Tide 100.9, 95.3 The Bear, and AM 1230 WTBC with kickoff set for 3 p.m. CT.