Bama Pass Rusher Up For Honor

Yet another Crimson Tide football player is up for post-season honors.

Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner was named a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, the Rotary Club of Houston announced on Wednesday.

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Turner is one of 12 semifinalists for the award, which is given to the college football offensive or defensive lineman who exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Famer Vince Lombardi in addition to outstanding performance and ability. A group of four finalists will be named on Nov. 15 with the 2023 Lombardi Award winner being announced at a banquet in Houston in mid-December.

Alabama has taken home the Lombardi Award following three different seasons. The first winner for the Crimson Tide was retired NFL linebacker Cornelius "Biscuit" Bennett in 1986. He was followed by current Washington Commander defensive lineman Jonathan Allen in 2016 and, most recently, current Houston Texan edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. in 2022.

Here's what got Turner nominated: He is a vaunted pass-rusher who is one of the top defensive players in the country. So far this season, Turner has made 34 total tackles, including seven sacks (-55 yards) and 10.5 tackles for loss (-69 yards). That's keeping opponents behind the chains.

Turner also has a team-high 10 quarterback hurries and has forced two fumbles. He is currently tied for second in the SEC and is seventh nationally in sacks while his 0.88 sacks per game average is second in the SEC and 10^th in Division I football. In addition, Turner is tied for second in the conference and is now 11^th in the country for tackles for lost yardage.

Earlier in the day, freshman safety Caleb Downs was nominated for the Shaun Alexander Award, which goes to the nation's top freshman football player.

Turner, Downs and their teammates are preparing ro face LSU Saturday night at 6:45 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium.