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Illinois Football Offers All-Conference JUCO Defensive Back
Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema takes the field fro the the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Donovan Turner's college football career has been a roller coaster.The former three-star recruit (according to On3) spent two seasons at UMass before transferring home to Long Beach City College last season. Turner, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back, made the most the most of it, earning first team All-Conference honors after recording 30 tackles and two interceptions at safety for the Vikings.Those efforts didn't go unnoticed by Illinois coach Bret Bielema and his staff, who offered Turner – a redshirt junior – on Tuesday.

The Illini are currently the only Division I school to have offered Turner, which means Illinois is in solid position to land him. As a true freshman at UMass in 2022, Turner – a native of East Long Beach, California, appeared in one game. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he appeared in five games.

Projecting precisely what to expect from Turner – assuming he signs with Illinois – is almost impossible, but the depth he adds to the defensive backfield will be welcome in Champaign.

Turner still has two more years of eligibility and can potentially play both corner and safety. Expect him to receive a couple more offers before the end of the month, but don't be surprised if Turner is wearing orange and blue come fall camp.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

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Illinois Basketball's Best of the Century: No. 10 Malcolm Hill

Surprising Stat Highlights Underrated Impact of Illinois' Tomislav Ivisic

This article first appeared on Illinois Fighting Illini on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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