DJ Turner II Bio
JuanDrago “DJ” Turner II (born November 9, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft. Listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 185 pounds, Turner has developed into a regular contributor in the Bengals’ secondary through his first two professional seasons.
After growing up in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Turner refined his game at one of the country’s most respected football pipelines before emerging as a multi-year starter at Michigan. His combination of coverage instincts, tackling reliability, and ball production helped him earn a top-60 selection in his first year of draft eligibility.
Early Life and Background
Turner was born on November 9, 2000, in Suwanee, Georgia, a suburb northeast of Atlanta. He grew up in a region long associated with high-level football talent, and he developed his early skills within the local youth and high school systems in Gwinnett County. His physical profile and athletic foundation were shaped during these formative years in Georgia.
Turner attended North Gwinnett High School in his hometown of Suwanee before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his senior year. IMG Academy is widely recognized as one of the premier national programs for developing college football prospects, and the move gave Turner exposure to elite competition and professional-level coaching. Following his senior season, he committed to the University of Michigan to play college football.
Path to American Football
Turner’s path to a professional career in American football began in earnest at IMG Academy, where he impressed recruiters with his coverage ability and football intelligence. His performance in Bradenton helped him secure a scholarship with the Michigan Wolverines, a program with a long track record of producing NFL defensive backs. He enrolled at Michigan ahead of the 2019 season.
Adjusting to the speed and complexity of Big Ten competition, Turner spent his first two seasons working into the rotation. By his third year, he had earned a starting role and demonstrated the kind of ball skills and tackling consistency that NFL scouts monitor closely. His development trajectory at Michigan positioned him as a clear early-round prospect heading into his final college season.
DJ Turner II Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Turner appeared in eight total games during his first two seasons at Michigan in 2019 and 2020. He worked primarily as a reserve cornerback while learning the Wolverines’ defensive schemes under the coaching staff. The limited role during these years allowed him to develop physically and mentally without the pressure of starting responsibilities.
Although he did not log extensive starting snaps, Turner used the period to refine his technique in press coverage and off-man situations. The experience built the foundation for the larger role he would assume in 2021, when he became a full-time contributor for the Wolverines.
Michigan Breakthrough (2021–2022)
In 2021, Turner played in all 14 games and made eight starts, signaling his emergence as a reliable member of Michigan’s secondary. He finished the year with 33 tackles, two interceptions, and one touchdown, showing a nose for the football that would become a hallmark of his game. The production reflected his growing comfort in big-stage matchups within the Big Ten.
Turner returned as a starter in 2022 and continued to make impact plays. That season, he intercepted one pass and returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown, demonstrating his value in both coverage and run support. His 2022 performance earned him Second-team All-Big Ten honors, cementing his status as one of the conference’s top defensive backs and setting the stage for his decision to enter the NFL draft.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2023–Present)
Turner was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round, 60th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. He joined a Bengals secondary looking to add depth and developmental talent behind established starters. His selection reflected the confidence that Cincinnati’s coaching staff had in his coverage traits and his readiness to contribute on special teams from day one.
In his rookie season, Turner appeared in a reserve role before getting his first career start in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals after starting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was ruled out with a back injury. Turner finished that game with four total tackles and one pass deflection, grading as the highest-rated Bengals cornerback in the 34–20 victory. He later recorded his first career sack in a Week 10 contest against the Baltimore Ravens and recovered a fumble the following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, returning it 28 yards. Turner closed his rookie year with 50 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and seven pass deflections across 12 starts.
Heading into 2024, Turner was named the Bengals’ second-string cornerback to open the season, backing up Daxton Hill. When Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Turner was thrust back into a starting role. He started regularly until Week 11, when he suffered a broken clavicle and was placed on injured reserve on November 19. Through the 2025 season, his career NFL totals include 119 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 33 pass deflections, and two interceptions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although best described for a defensive back rather than a driver, Turner’s professional profile is built on a blend of coverage technique, ball-hawking instincts, and reliable open-field tackling. He has shown comfort in both man and zone concepts and has produced takeaways through interceptions and fumble recoveries. His ability to step into larger roles when called upon has defined his early career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Turner’s most notable early-career moments are his first NFL start against the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, his first career sack against the Baltimore Ravens, and a 28-yard fumble recovery return against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Earning Second-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2022 and hearing his name called in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft stand as defining milestones in his journey from Suwanee, Georgia, to a starting role in the NFL.
DJ Turner II Career Stats
Across his first two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Turner has produced steady statistical contributions as both a starter and a rotational defensive back. His work in coverage, combined with his willingness as a tackler, has made him a trusted option in the Bengals’ secondary.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
Turner has appeared in games for the Bengals from 2023 through the 2025 season, starting 12 games as a rookie and reclaiming a starting role in 2024 before his injury. His first career start came in Week 5 of the 2023 season against the Arizona Cardinals, and he has since added his first career sack, multiple fumble recoveries, and growing interception totals. He has yet to record a postseason start, but his continued development positions him as a key piece of Cincinnati’s defensive backfield.
Other Performances
At the college level with the Michigan Wolverines, Turner appeared in 36 total games across four seasons from 2019 to 2022, finishing with multiple interceptions, a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, and Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022. His production in Ann Arbor established him as a draftable prospect and prepared him for the rigors of NFL competition.
| Team | Seasons | Games | Starts | Tackles | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2023–Present | Active | 12+ | 119 | 2 | 33 |
DJ Turner II Family
Family Background and Personal Life
DJ Turner II was raised in Suwanee, Georgia, where he attended North Gwinnett High School before finishing his high school career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Public details about his immediate family are limited, and he has kept much of his personal and family life out of the spotlight. His nickname, DJ, has become the name most commonly associated with him in media coverage and team references.
Personal Life
Turner maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his updates under his verified public accounts. Beyond his commitment to professional football, little additional personal information has been publicly confirmed, and he is widely known for keeping his private life separate from his on-field career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Turner was working his way back from the broken clavicle he suffered in November 2024. After being placed on injured reserve late in the 2024 campaign, his recovery and return to full health became a central storyline for the Bengals’ secondary. Cincinnati’s coaching staff has continued to express confidence in his long-term role within the defense.
Through the 2025 campaign, Turner has continued to log tackles and pass deflections at a steady pace, building on the career totals established during his first two NFL seasons. His experience as a 12-game starter as a rookie, combined with his expanded responsibility in 2024, has positioned him as a more polished and confident defender heading into the second half of his professional career.
With the Bengals competing in a competitive AFC North, Turner’s ability to stay healthy and maintain his production in coverage will be a key factor in Cincinnati’s defensive outlook. His partnership with the team’s coaching staff and his development as a perimeter cornerback remain central to the franchise’s long-term plans in the secondary.
