Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 290 pounds
School: Wake Forest
2023 NFL Draft: Kobie Turner Scouting Report
Kobie Turner’s Career at Richmond
Kobie Turner is a senior defensive tackle from Wake Forest University. Before Wake Forest, Turner spent several seasons at Richmond playing for the Spiders. Turner first appeared in 2018 with mediocre stats including 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He earned the starting role in 2019 and led the team with 14.5 tackles for loss. Turner also racked up seven sacks and wreaked havoc on the Colonial Athletic Association. He was an impact player for the Spiders in 2019 forcing a fumble and blocking an extra point.
Richmond DT Kobie Turner has entered the Transfer Portal
• One of the best DTs in the #FCS pic.twitter.com/Xy8L5V38ha
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) December 1, 2021
Turner played for Richmond before transferring to Wake Forest. Richmond was in a conference observing a spring season during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was a force in the Colonial Athletic Association with two selections to the first-team All-CAA conference. He also earned CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 spring season. Overall, Turner tallied 158 total tackles with 33.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. He also recovered three fumbles for the Spiders.
Turner’s Career at Wake Forest
Turner continued to turn heads at Wake Forest earning AP second-team All-ACC. He had a great season with 38 tackles including 10 for loss and two sacks. Turner also forced three fumbles and posted eight pressures on the passer. He has made an impact every season since making his appearance in 2018. Turner is a great talent with NFL-worthy strength and should be on every team’s radar on draft night.
Kobie Turner: 93.2 Run Defense Grade this season
Led all Power Five DTs🎩 pic.twitter.com/vswwdlAgi8
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 23, 2022
Strengths
- Great Balance
- Strength
- Great Footwork
- Creates Pressure
- Disrupts and Collapses the Pocket
- Experience as a Senior Pass-Rusher
- Discipline to Stifle the Run Game
Weaknesses
- Moderately Undersized
- Can be Bullied by Bigger Linemen
- Lacks Lateral Quickness to Take the Edge
- Lacking Arm Length Could Make it Difficult to Shed Blockers
- Needs More Consistency from Play to Play
NFL Comparison: Larry Ogunjobi, Mike Daniels
Teams With Need at Defensive Tackle: Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders
Draft Projection: 3-5 Round
Final Thoughts on Kobie Turner
Turner is a mildly undersized defensive tackle from Wake Forest. Turner spent significant time at Richmond including a spring season during the COVID-19 pandemic. He made a name for himself as one of the best defensive players in the CAA conference playing for the Spiders.
Turner continued his upward trajectory after transferring to Wake Forest. He doubled down on his draft stock earning a second-team All-ACC selection with his versatile play and disruptive play style. It’s important for Turner to develop refined pass-rushing skills such as a bull rush, spin move, or swim moves in order for him to overcome some of his obvious concerns.
Turner has obvious red flags including size, length, and lateral quickness. His stature could leave him vulnerable to being bullied by bigger offensive linemen or double teams. He also does not have typical length at the position making shedding blockers much more difficult. Lateral quickness is another issue for Turner. If he is unable to overpower or shed blockers he will have to find ways to get to the edge. His overall size and lacking length are the most obvious red flags for the former Deamon Deacon. Some technical work as a pass rusher could lead to increased opportunities in the NFL.
Turner needs to develop his signature pass-rush technique as he is lacking size and lateral quickness. His hand and arm strength are tremendous advantages considering his weaknesses physically. If Turner can further develop this strength and some technical skills he could overcome some of these concerns and earn more opportunities to prove himself on the field. Turner’s demeanor and play style are indicative of an NFL defensive tackle. He could be a steal for whichever team gambles on him come draft night.
Main Photo: William Bretzger – Imagn Content Services, LLC
