Another Turner on the way for Clemson football

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney raised eyebrows in recruiting circles on signing day of 2016 when he announced little-known safety Nolan Turner of Vestavia Hills, Alabama as part of the class.

Turner was the son of one of Swinney’s former Alabama teammates, and to many it appeared he was just doing the family a favor. Well, Turner returned that favor many times over totaling 192 tackles and seven interceptions in his career.

Swinney has gone back to the Turner family for another off-the-radar addition, this time wide receiver Cole Turner. The younger Turner (6-2, 180) made his official visit with the Tigers over the weekend and announced his commitment on Sunday.

His only other offer was from Buffalo. But he’s athletic and fast, reportedly 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and that attracted strong attention from receivers coach Tyler Grisham.

“He kind of told me he sees me playing anywhere on the field,” Turner said earlier this month after getting his offer from Clemson. “Playing at multiple different places. He can move me around a little bit. I am more of a speed receiver and a deep threat. I can do anything and be whatever they need to be.”

Of course, Turner is very familiar with Clemson the program and Clemson the school. It didn’t take much to convince him this was the route he needed to run.

“It’s a great place,” he said. “The big thing for me is that it is a place that feels like home, and Clemson has that feel to it.”

During the 2021 season, Turner had 42 catches for 581 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He also recorded a punt return for a touchdown, a kickoff return for a touchdown, and had two passing touchdowns (on double passes).

He’s the third receiver in the Tigers’ 2022 class. The Tigers loss veteran Justyn Ross to the NFL Draft and other wideouts Ajou Ajou and Frank Ladson to the transfer portal.

Myles Oliver commitment

Cornerback Myles Oliver (6-1, 170) of Douglasville, Georgia had a big weekend at Clemson.

He arrived on Friday for his official visit without an offer. He got that offer on Saturday. And on Sunday, before departing, he committed to head coach Dabo Swinney.

He gives the Tigers three in the 2022 class at cornerback, a position of need with both starters leaving for the NFL.

Unlike Andrew Booth and Mario Goodrich, Oliver was not highly listed on the board of top cornerbacks nationally. His other offers were from Georgia Tech, Charleston Southern and Bethune-Cookman. But that didn’t deter Clemson corners coach Mike Reed from going all-in for him.

“He’s been saying that he likes my speed, size and athleticism,” Oliver said. “It’s a good, winning program. That’s what I like about Clemson. I like how their defense sets up, and how coach Reed coaches the corners. He’s had a whole bunch of corners who have gone to the NFL.”

This season Oliver had 75 tackles with 5 interceptions on defense, and on offense, he had 552 all-purpose yards. He also scored four touchdowns.

This story was originally published January 16, 2022 at 2:21 PM.