On a Thursday evening in Indianapolis, as time edged toward 10:40 p.m., Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II arrived for his long-anticipated interview with the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. However, what the Bengals’ cornerbacks coach Charles Burks experienced was not just the accomplished athlete but a darker, more intense persona known as Drago—Turner’s alter ego. This dual nature surfaced during the 2023 NFL scouting combine, marking Turner’s interview as the Bengals’ concluding meeting and setting the stage for their selection of one of college football’s premier cover cornerbacks.
Charles Burks, armed with a notebook labeled with his own name and the 2026 NFL scouting combine logo, was revisiting his extensive notes from that night in preparation for the upcoming scouting events. His search for a certain edge—something less than purely humble and more villainous—was fulfilled when Turner revealed a distinct side that Burks dubbed “Drago,” embodying arrogance and an imposing presence that few cornerbacks carry.
Discovering the ‘Drago’ Persona in Turner’s Interview
Burks described DJ Turner as “a kind, humble young man,” contrasting sharply with Drago, who is
“arrogant, moody, and he wants to be the villain in every stadium that he walks in. The bad guy. Drago was sitting in there. A little bit on edge, and you could kind of feel it.”
This intriguing combination of humility and intensity was exactly the mindset Burks sought. At the cornerback position, swagger and confidence are as vital as technical skills, making a controlled villainy a desirable trait.
During the interview, Drago promised the Bengals he would impress with his 40-yard dash performance. Unlike mere talk, Turner’s commitment was validated when Andrew Johnson, the Bengals’ seasoned Michigan-area scout, recorded Turner’s astonishing time of 4.26 seconds—by far the fastest at that combine. Johnson immediately recognized that Turner’s speed was not only enviable but effortlessly natural, highlighting how quickly Turner reached his top velocity.
Elite Speed Backed by Exceptional Athleticism
Johnson likened watching Turner’s acceleration to viewing a player possessing rare arm strength throwing a football—
“It almost doesn’t look as fast as it should be because it’s so easy.”
Turner’s speed aligned him with elite company, matching historic 40-yard dash times like Hampton’s Jerome Mathis from 2005 and Kent State’s Dri Archer in 2014, although those players had brief NFL careers. Unlike some purely fast players who lack fluidity, Turner blended top-end speed with agility and smooth movement, a rare combination that impressed Bengals assistant general manager Mike Potts.
Potts expressed confidence in Turner’s durability and long-term potential, noting,
“It’s an unbelievable feat to break 4.3. We don’t take that for granted. A lot of the guys that run really fast are not super fluid and don’t change direction very well. A lot of times, they’re really tightly wound, and that’s not the case with DJ.”
Turner’s ability to change direction and maintain fluidity set him apart from other speed demons who struggle with game-to-game consistency.
Beyond Numbers: Assessing Durability and Position Transition
While Turner’s combine stats were outstanding, Johnson recognized that two critical aspects of his future success—weight maintenance and position fit—would only become clear once he began playing professionally. Turner, standing 5-foot-11, had worked diligently to maintain a playing weight near 185 pounds, aided by an additional college year to improve his training regimen and recovery knowledge.
The Bengals also benefited from valuable informal interactions beyond the tightly regulated combine environment. Turner’s trainers had a recovery space at the Bengals’ hotel, and Johnson encountered Turner during quiet moments walking through the Indiana Convention Center. These unscripted meetings allowed the scouts to witness a more relaxed and genuine side of Turner, which confirmed the consistency between his interview composure and off-the-record demeanor.
Johnson said,
“In a combine interview setting, you’re likely to get a more buttoned-up, slightly guarded exposure to the kid. But walking back through the convention center, he’s much more relaxed. One-on-one, not in front of a room, in front of all of our brass.”
This consistency reassured the Bengals regarding Turner’s character and readiness.
Confident Execution: Turner’s Interview and Film Breakdown
Turner’s efficiency extended to his combine exercises, where he ran only one 40-yard dash and participated in just two jumping drills—the vertical and broad jumps—demonstrating the kind of assuredness that impressed Burks. “I loved it,” Burks said. “Shows you the confidence.” Beyond physical skills, Burks found Turner’s intelligence and composure telling.
“Not necessarily what he says, but how he carries himself… Handling his business.”
The Bengals’ evaluation process also included a detailed film session. Burks presented Turner with seven specific plays from the 2022 Michigan season, including standout moments like a recovery pass deflection after an initial beat against Illinois. This play had convinced Burks early on that Turner possessed the necessary skill set for the NFL. Other film highlights included a batted ball in nickel coverage against Purdue and effectively cutting off a deep route versus Michigan State. As Turner walked through each play, it was clear he had a strong grasp of his performance and situational awareness.
Burks emphasized the importance of understanding how self-aware a prospect is regarding their abilities and areas to improve, a focus Turner met fully. When shown less successful plays, Turner openly acknowledged weaknesses, such as missed tackles, with
“Yes, I have to work on it.”
Man-to-Man Strength and Mental Toughness
Burks was particularly pleased when Turner asserted his desire to line up against the opponent’s top receiver wherever needed.
“He basically said he would want to play anywhere the best receiver plays,”
Burks relayed.
“He was adamant he was a man-to-man corner. That’s what I want to know. Is he a man-to-man corner, or just some other corner?”
This clarity reassured the Bengals that Turner possessed the mindset for the demanding position.
When reviewing plays with deep completions against him, including one involving Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, Turner insisted,
“I did whatever I could to stop the receiver.”
Burks countered that the receiver’s positioning was less critical than Turner’s impact on the ball. Turner’s nod of agreement and his 18 pass breakups—second most in the league last season—further highlighted his effectiveness.
From Combine Confidence to On-Field Intensity
The ten-minute interview left a lasting impression. Burks noted,
“He oozed with confidence. You want to coach the most confident guy in the combine.”
Over the following year and a half, Burks grew to admire Turner as a person and a player.
“Great guy. Could coach him for the rest of my life,”
Burks said.
Yet, glimpses of the intense “Drago” side surfaced increasingly in live games, culminating in Turner’s second NFL season. After having his first interception against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes nullified by a penalty, Turner’s emotional explosion marked the emergence of Drago as a permanent fixture on game days. “That’s the guy I saw,” Burks recalled of the night in Indy when the Bengals first encountered the burning, competitive spirit beneath the calm exterior.
Why Turner’s Dual Personality Matters for the Bengals
Turner’s blend of humility and villainous bravado offers Cincinnati a rare package at cornerback. His athleticism, mental fortitude, and unshakeable self-belief suggest a long-term asset for the Bengals’ defense. Beyond the combine’s numbers and drills, his demeanor in interviews and meetings demonstrates a player who embraces the intensity of his role while remaining grounded off the field.
As the Bengals move forward with their 2023 draftee, the dual essence of DJ Turner II—both the composed athlete and the on-field antagonist—could be key to fortifying their secondary and contending in high-pressure games. Observers will be watching closely to see how Drago’s presence shapes seasons to come.
