Nolan

Turner

Wow. With Turner (6'1/205) announcing that he will return for another run, the Tigers will return all 11 starters on the defensive side of the football. The redshirt senior was a second-team all-ACC honoree, and USA Today named him a second-team All-American, after tallying 66 total tackles (49 solo, 6.0 for loss) and three pass breakups. Turner should once again be one of the best defensive backs in college football, as Clemson looks to remain atop the ACC.

This is a tough blow for Turner and the Tigers to take, as he was ejected during the fourth quarter of a game what was essentially decided by that point. Clemson should be one of the four teams selected to take part in the College Football Playoff, and it will be without one of its most experienced defenders for the first half of the semifinals.

Per Tigers HC Dabo Swinney, Turner injured his shoulder during a recent scrimmage. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder will now be sidelined into at least the summer. Swinney had been encouraged by Turner’s performance in practice early on, making this setback all the more unfortunate. This past season, the redshirt sophomore saw the field in six contests, posting 11 tackles and a sack in that space. Isiah Simms will handle some of Turner’s additional duties in practice -- namely at safety and nickel SAM linebacker -- with the team down a piece.