Instant impact safety Asa Turner transfers to the Florida Gators

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that's what Florida did here with Turner so hit that like button like that hey we got a new player to talk about right here another transfer portal pickup one that will pay immediate dividends like subscribe right here on YouTube if or your favorite podcast platform e either way like subscribe it really goes a long way in helping us out right here on Gator breakdown um when you subscribe you get those notifications when there's a new episode of Gator breakdown leave a comment we'll go I've been responding to a good bit of comments lately but everything been going on and all this roster churn right here for Florida uh and just keep adding adding adding and um with this one I mean you far around that 85 uh this got to be 85 by Fall that's the only number that matters right now so all that good stuff and U man tell you what some new members there lately of for Gator breakdown plus you can take part in description um and take part in the conversation going on there on Gator breakdown plus link is in the description there to join Gator breakdown plus get access to that Discord have those chats there extra episodes adree episodes all that good stuff happening in at Gator breakdown plus link is in the description to join and before we get to AET Turner and his commitment to the Gators what he brings to the table what type of player he is this conference Championship week Chiefs Ravens Lions 49ers the Super Bowl coming up you know my book is going to have you covered all those wonderful games they put together right there at mybookie and with all that you can put cash in your wallet mybookie has the biggest online selection of and contest anywhere to fill all your sports betting needs this conference Championship weekend anytime anywhere so you can turn all that Sports knowledge Into Cash in your wallet the NFL Conference Championship weekend is here betle on all that or play for a share of big cash prizes in the weekly Blackjack tournaments if you've been waiting for the right time to get in on the action that time is now make your winning move today sign up at my bookie use promo code Gators and claim your deposit match redeemable up to $1,000 again that's promo code Gators to claim your bonus bet anything anytime anywhere with my bookie all right G nation let's do it we got to commit and that is as a Turner right here and bringing the experience bringing the size back there on the back end 6'3 little over 200lb Defender originally from California signed with watch Washington in the 2019 class he played in 12 of their 13 games that season as a true freshman started five games as a true freshman played in all four of Washington's games in the 2020 Co shorten season and then played in 10 games over 10 games each over the next two seasons in his first four years off and own starter six interceptions in those four years average 3.4 tackles per game while breaking up eight passes and that fourth year that 2022 season that's when Kellin dor arrived at Washington of course Alabama's new coach Kellin debor taking Washington to the National Championship but when he arrived in 2022 his first season he gave Turner to starting role at free safety Turner kind of had some battles there starting battled players battled some injuries but when kayin debor came 2022 gave that starting role to a a Turner so those new coaches they're at Washington um really had a lot to say about the type of player he was um and those new coaches they they they drew a type of commitment from Turner that wasn't always there before and going back in what they had to say about him and the boor jokingly said in the press conference I swear he's living somewhere in this building he said of Turner he's got a bed he's got a dresser he's got all of his clothes somewhere in this building he's in here non-stop all day every day with that Turner admittedly went from being a reluctant tackler to much more physical player you saw the transformation once kayin theor got there Turner transforms his game and admittedly becomes a better tackler so projected to start this past season in 2023 Pro Football Focus named Turner a 2023 preseason All-American third team member but he was limited to just four regular season games due to a hand injury playing with a cast and club and all that on his on his hand starter for the first two games of the Season while wearing a club on his hand turn it got hurt against Tulsa in the first series went out for nearly a month missing three games returned for that big big matchup the first orgon matchup of the Season uh came back as a reserve safety in that game played a big role seven tackles in that game in Washington's 3633 Victory uh in in October versus Oregon then he started did he started the following week against Arizona State five tackles in that game 15 to seven tough tough tough hardfought win there for Washington but he got hurt again and missed another five games and he would post on social media how he underwent surgery so Turner came back missed those those games late in the season those five games but came came back when Washington needed him the most came back and played in all three of their postseason games the Pack 12 title game and the two college football playoff games let it be known it came out that the free safety dealt with three wrist or hand surgeries over the past six months on both the left and the right sides so one big plus about Turner came back kept playing kept fighting through injuries but one big plus about him is he handles Washington's shifts audibles that's what he hand he he he he was the one doing that for the Washington when he was out there on the field readily available ready to play he was the one handling the defensive shifts and the audibles for the Washington defense you came back midseason um co- defensive coordinator said from a leadership standpoint that's where Aza has his strength of the core in the unit as one of the leaders say Co defensive coordinator William in him being able to drive the defense know exactly what's going on in the back end and being able to get people a line being able to make calls checks and adjustments there's an extreme Comfort level when he's back there of you knowing everyone's going to be on the same page that's huge that's huge for this Florida defense what did we see time and time again of the deep passes and the explosive passes all the explosives the opposing offense were able to take advantage of because the Florida defense wasn't ready wasn't on the same page you had a lot of Youth on in that Florida defensive back field that's not going to be the case now now you can bring somebody in who's got the experience of leading a defense somebody who makes the checks makes the calls makes the alignments the type of Florida the type of player Florida needed to get the transfer portal that's what they got here Turner spent Five Seasons with the Huskies making 43 appearances with 96 solo tackles 148 total tackles his best season was in 2022 when he exploded for a career high 52 tackles two interceptions and three passes defended he was able to take this red shirt last season because he got hurt I just went through you know this 2023 season this past season uh he only played in four regular season games so that's why he was able to get a red shirt and have one more year of Eligibility and now going to use that to come to Florida 72.5 PFF grade technically in the six year now I mean about 1,800 snaps of football you get right here um excellent of course experience that's the the main thing but like as I said I I'll keep pinpointing the experience and where Florida needed it the most the defensive back field and help in any way possible reduce those number of explosive plays we saw game in and game out from this Gat of Defense so brings a ton of experience in just so many ways that Florida needs it at that position being able to just lead back there you know Jordan Castel had to learn on the Fly last year Bry to learn on the Fly last year those guys bring some experience back too in this same defense but now you get somebody who can bring the other element of the experience years of it should make this defense much much better on the back end uh he also did have shoulder injury in 2021 that held him back so some injuries maybe concerned you know to keep an eye on here um so of course from Washington to Florida not such an easy move not really all the way across country remember he's originally from California went to Washington and now makes the cross country track to Florida and one big reason the big pull that really helps Florida here is new defensive back coach will Harris of course he was at Washington and then back in 2019 when Turner was making his decision to go to a college Harris was there Harris was there with him until after the 2021 season so that familiarity really really paying off here for Florida I mean things you didn't even know at the time you hired Will Harris just a few weeks later things like this fall in your lap and talking about falling in your lap this one's kind of odd too just think about how all this plays out Caleb DS at Bama he enters the portal really good safety for Bama as a true freshman they got an opening at safety and where is uh Turner's former head coach the coach he just got through playing for at Alabama where Caleb DS left left a hole at safety um don't you think they could use Turner well Turner is that Florida not bama where believe me he could have easily went you don't think the board and the way B's roster especially with Downs out but with B roster just being gutted right now he'd love to have a familiar player in this I mean guys this it's already helped Florida one time with jir Grimsley but this you know this this angle of a Nick Sabin retirement and it being so late flid is the Florida's benefited twice now from that because with Bama needing a new head coach they went and got the boore that opened up for Turner to hit the transfer for a portal and he didn't go to Bama he didn't follow the Bor there he comes to Florida but that move was only made because Nick Sabin retired jir Grimsley was gonna he'd be still at B right now if Nick s was head coach the board probably still be at Washington and their head coach Turner May return have Turner may have returned there for his last go around up that draft stock but now he's going to come to Florida and up that draft stock but all this happened because Nick sain retired and Florida's benefited twice now hey doesn't matter how it happens up grade the talent that's exactly what happened here this new world of college football things like this are going to happen be the benefactor make the best of it some guys you may miss on the first round some guys like Turner well you hire a coach like Will Harris that relationship may may pay off and that's exactly what's Happening Here fers put themselves in position to take advantage of a Nick Sabin retirement and everything that comes after that for's defensive backfield is better because Nick Sab retired that's just it's crazy how it all works out it's crazy how it all works out oh man and it like I said going back to the point it gives Florida great experience on the back end and to me you you pencil you pencil and maybe maybe Sharpie it but Turner is a starter given his production at Washington in my opinion and he joins Jordan Castell and Bryce thort who's had experience in this defense last year on the back end but to me it also raises the question of what else happens there you know trz Bridges transfers in from Oregon what happens with him now DJ Douglas comes in as well as a safety he was more of a reserve in my mind anyway but who knows maybe he comes in and pushes for a spot but for Bridges he let it be known that he wants to play safety and the discussions with the staff that you know he would play safety so how does this shake out I I'm I'm really interested if Florida look this is what you do you upgrade the room you create competition you create depth I think Florida's got some nice choices here at safety I mean if all four of those guys are competing at safety Florida should be in pretty good shape of Turner and bridges and Castell and Thorton now maybe it works out just a bit different with Turner back there maybe it's just now Bridges Castell and Thorton as your main three safeties does Bri Bridges now maybe go to nickel look he's played Corner he's played a little bit of safety at Oregon he's supposed to play safety here at Florida is now he a little hybrid nickel star this Bridges now maybe find himself battling with Sharie Denon at nickel I think it's going to be fascinating when we get the spring practice of how all this works out how the staff sees how this works out maybe I'll start asking around a bit you know this was still kind of on the the hills of the announcement but how's this going to shake out back there Florida hit the defensive backfield hard in the transfer portal needed to hit the hit hit it hard in the transfer portal I like this move I there should be we're not going to be using after look Castell Thorton p experience last year I don't care if they're in their second year they got plenty of experience now you bring in a Bridges and a Turner there's no youth experience on the back end of this defense anymore there's not or there shouldn't be if there is that means all these guys failed and you're back there playing freshman I these all these guys aren't going to get hurt to get freshman chances so um this should this should benefit Florida this should really benefit Florida so however shakes out there's competition there's experience should really benefit what Rob Roberts is trying to do Austin Armstrong is trying to do Will Harris is trying to do back there Billy nippier is the head coach and tie that in with you know more production up front as well we're hoping to see all that experience on the back end hopefully more production up front this all should combine for the defense to take a step Ron Roberts coming in and helping Austin Armstrong lead this defense all these things combined we should see better defense but we've been saying that for a few seasons in a row now should be better should be better should be better it really should it really should be better and my biggest question now is who's rushing the passer I think getting somebody like Turner Bridges Castell thoron on the back end okay I feel better about that my biggest question on defense now is can the young linebackers come together with Jamar James with pup Howard coming in there's and and there's freshman coming in can Wingo step up a bit more Jaden Robinson but all these you know most of it's what what are those young guys going to do at linebacker and then up front the biggest question is who's going to rush the pastor consistently you get answers to those questions and I'm not saying they have to be outstanding answers but they need to be better answers than what we've seen I feel better about the back in now now of course we got to go see it and given the the 40 50 60 70 80 yard plays this they go help give up last year need to see it on that back end too but I feel a bit I feel like the answers are going to pay off on the back end I I I feel confident that in more than hey look I still got to see that linebacker bit with all the young guys there that need to step up the young guys need to make an impact this year what I'm asking for on the back in is some experienced transfers to make a difference back there and for castel's experience to pay off Thorton's experience to pay off at linebacker I'm still waiting for that young production some of us because they're true freshman we just don't have anything to go by Grayson Howard a true freshman last year at South Carolina Jaden Robinson true freshman last year at Florida all those guys combined there's not a lot of snaps there especially compared to a Castel and a thoron that experience should pay off for Florida's linebacker core they're just going to have to kind of do what the Castell and Thorton did last year they're going to have to rise up as young players and for Florida Edge well I mean we'll have to see you know what slackman coming in you know it's not your pure pass rush Edge guy but how much of an impact can he make to on one side of the defensive line where you know he can filter to whoever that edge player is going to be and help get to the quarterback there's my questions but there's some good makeup on this defense right now but doesn't mean it comes together all right so right here with Turner Florida's 11th transfer so kind of got through we'll see I mean not so sure Florida is done here they can be we got a spring portal window as well but I am talking immediate I am talking immediate like Florida goes over 85 right now who cares there's got to be over 85 by the time fall Camp starts it can work itself out usually does Florida's 11 transfer now with Turner coming in and among those give me Turner offensive line Devin Manuel linebacker Grayson Howard wide receiver Chim Ray DK defensive back chz Bridges defensive lineman Joey slackman offensive lineman Brandon prall Dixon as possible starters all those guys that seven out of the 11 transfers that I think are possible starters for this Gator team needed to get immediate impact 71 seven of 11 of them are going to be impactful how many starters now Turner Howard DK slackman kinshaw Dixon I think are for sure starters that's one two three four that's five starters out of 11 for sure to me if if I had to pick a starter or not I'm saying Turner pup Howard team Ray DK Joey slackman crall Dixon I think those are starters I would have said Bridges was for sure until Turner just came in but I think Bridges is going be like one of those slash guys you know maybe not start but he'll have just as many snaps got some of these other guys I think he's going to be a plus player for this Gator defense but I'm not gonna be shocked if he's starting I would kind of be shocked to see somebody like Jordan Castell not start so on the back end you know is it is it is it Turner and Castell I could see that I could see that and bridges being the odd man now if he's the safety if he doesn't move to another position he can play corner I know it's been talked about and I think that's what we got to figure out do the plans change for somebody like triquest Bridges I know he wants to play safety but whe there other conversations being had he V need at corner could you play it now I he's transferring in I'm sure he wanted to play safety that's probably the still of the plan I I would imagine it is but when you get to Spring and maybe it's not working or or the plan just changes even before spring we'll see I I think that's a fascinating storyline to watch for me but if anything I think it gives for a pretty four pretty good safeties back there but as far as the transfer portal goes I think um about five five starters and up to seven of the 11 being huge impact guys that are going to play a lot of football for Florida in 2024 I'm talking about when I say that and I say starters and I bring up these names I mean immediate impact guys that are going to be playing a ton of snaps game in and game out we know how much Florida needs it this critical year for Billy Napier with this tough schedule and needing to put some wins on the board he needed some instant impact guys did you get enough that remain to be seen that remain to be seen but I like I like a lot of the pieces here I like a lot of pieces here all right there we go man a lot of story lines this one a lot of story lines when you start combining everything how we got here with the Sabin retirement the Bor going the Bama I mean it's a Will Harris coming in and having that connection to Turner I mean there's a lot of angles to this one and then of course big picture wise with just all the transfers florid is brought in how they all fit together but all in all really good experienced player here for Turner decided he's a gator he's long as he's healthy I think we're going to see a lot of him this fall lot of him this fall all that'll do it for this episode of Gator breakdown I am your host David Waters you can find me on social media at Gator Dave SEC guys and girls out there thank you for joining me on this episode of Gator breakdown [Music]