Malik Turner Bio
Malik Turner is an American professional football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 202 pounds, he plays a physical, contested-catch style on the outside. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent signed by the Seattle Seahawks. Across his career, he has also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, and the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League.
Born on January 30, 1996, in Springfield, Illinois, Turner has carved out a long professional journey through practice squads, brief stints on active rosters, and a record-setting UFL season. Known for his reliability on special teams and his ability to step into larger offensive roles when called upon, he has remained a steady presence across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Malik Turner grew up in Springfield, Illinois, where he attended Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. He was a multi-sport athlete, playing both football and basketball during his prep career. As a sophomore and junior, he earned All-Central State Eight honors, signaling his early emergence as one of the conference’s top playmakers.
His senior season became a defining moment of his high school career. Turner tallied 69 receptions for 1,378 yards, averaging 19.9 yards per catch, and scored 22 touchdowns. He helped lead his team to a perfect 14-0 record and an IHSA Class 5A state championship. For his play, he received Central State Eight Conference Player of the Year honors.
Path to Professional Football
After his standout high school career, Turner accepted a football scholarship from the University of Illinois. He joined the Illinois Fighting Illini and worked his way into a starting role during his freshman season, appearing in 13 games with 5 starts. By the end of his college career, he had compiled impressive totals, finishing ninth in school history with 143 receptions and 1,804 receiving yards, along with 10 receiving touchdowns.
Despite his productive college tenure, Turner went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent and began the long process of building a professional career from the bottom of the roster.
Malik Turner Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Turner’s college career at Illinois began with a strong freshman campaign. He appeared in 13 games with 5 starts and registered 25 receptions for 256 yards and one touchdown. His first big game came against Louisiana Tech University, where he recorded 6 receptions for 84 yards.
As a sophomore, he appeared in 12 games with 10 starts, posting 39 receptions for 510 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. During his junior year, he started 11 games and led the team with 48 receptions, 712 yards, and 6 receiving touchdowns, earning honorable-mention All-Big Ten recognition. His senior season was shortened by injury, but he still finished with 31 receptions, 326 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2018–2020)
After an unsuccessful tryout at a Green Bay Packers minicamp, Turner signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on July 29, 2018. He was cut at the end of training camp but quickly returned to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on October 31. He made his NFL debut on November 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and caught his first career pass, a 19-yard reception from Russell Wilson, in a win over the Carolina Panthers on November 25.
Turner’s second season brought his first career touchdown. On November 24, 2019, he caught a 33-yard pass from Wilson in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Earlier that year, in a Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers, he caught two passes for 35 yards in overtime following an injury to Tyler Lockett. After the Seahawks rescinded his exclusive-rights tender in April 2020, Turner became a free agent.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2020–2021)
Turner signed with the Green Bay Packers on August 12, 2020, but was waived on September 5. One day later, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys to contribute on special teams. He played in the first four games before spending most of the season inactive, finishing with two special teams tackles in six appearances.
Re-signed to a one-year contract in March 2021, Turner battled a turf toe issue and a preseason foot injury that landed him on injured reserve. Once activated in October, he served as a backup and posted one of his most memorable NFL performances in Week 16 against the Washington Football Team, recording three receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown, including a 61-yard catch-and-run on only 13 offensive snaps. He finished 2021 with 12 receptions for 149 yards, three touchdowns, and one special teams tackle.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022–Present)
On April 11, 2022, Turner signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He was waived at the end of August and spent time on the practice squad before being released on November 1. Brief stints followed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans practice squads later that season.
He signed with the Indianapolis Colts in February 2023 but was waived injured in August. Turner returned to the 49ers in July 2024, though an injury settlement led to his release early in camp. He rejoined the practice squad in October before being released again in November. In January 2025, he signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League, where he set a UFL record with 168 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 2025 UFL Championship Game. After his UFL contract was terminated in August 2025, Turner signed again with the 49ers and was converted to the practice squad before signing a reserve/futures contract on January 20, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Turner is known as a physical, sure-handed receiver who excels at contested catches and intermediate routes. He has built a reputation for stepping into larger roles when injuries open opportunities, demonstrating the ability to produce on limited offensive snaps.
Notable Events and Milestones
His record-setting 168-yard, three-touchdown performance in the 2025 UFL Championship Game stands as the defining moment of his professional career. Earlier milestones include his first NFL touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 and a productive Week 16 outing with the Cowboys in 2021.
Malik Turner Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Malik Turner was raised in Springfield, Illinois, and attended Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, where he developed into a two-sport standout. Public information about his immediate family remains limited, and details about his parents and siblings are not widely documented.
Turner has kept much of his personal life private, with no publicly verified information available regarding a spouse or children. His professional journey, marked by frequent moves between practice squads and active rosters, reflects a player who has remained dedicated to the game across numerous organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Turner’s 2025 campaign began with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League, where he delivered a historic performance in the UFL Championship Game. His 168 receiving yards and three touchdowns set a UFL single-game record, even as the Panthers fell to the DC Defenders. The standout showing reinforced his value as a big-play receiver capable of producing in high-pressure moments.
Following the UFL season, Turner returned to the NFL when the San Francisco 49ers signed him in August 2025. He was released as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On January 20, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the team, securing his place in the 49ers organization heading into the next league year.