Ezekiel Turner

Ezekiel Turner's Biography

Ezekiel Turner, an American professional football linebacker currently enrolled as a free agent, was born on June 9, 1996. His journey into football began with his collegiate career at the University of Washington where he played as a defensive back for the Washington Huskies. His introduction to professional football came unreservedly when he signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent after the 2018 NFL draft.

Turner’s early career included a season with the Arizona Cardinals where he played in all 16 games. His commendable performance saw him ending the season third in the league with 16 overall special teams tackles. The season also had him named in the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team as a special teamer.

Born in June but bred within the football field lines, his career took flight since January 2015 after enrolling at the University of Washington. Throughout his remaining college career, he played as a defensive back for the Washington Huskies, a legacy that earmarked his journey into the big league. Over his tenure at the Huskies, he received the title of Special Teams Player of the Week four times. He even celebrated victory as the co-winner of the Special Teams MVP during the 2016 season.

Turner’s sophomore season is notable for his participation in 12 of the 13 games with his first start against Stanford University. In that game, he tackled opponents seven times! The indomitable Turner was unstoppable with his tackles as he played in 13 out of 14 games in his junior season in 2016. His exceptional performance includes his interception in the 2016 Pac-12 Football Championship Game against the Colorado Buffaloes. Following his junior season, Turner received the Special Teams MVP award, a testament to his 23 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble.

The senior season in 2017 saw Turner, true to his reputation, play all 13 games while starting three games. During the season opener against Rutgers, he piled up five tackles, which included one tackle for a loss. Later in the season, in the 110th Annual Apple Cup, he hit six tackles and returned a 41-yard interception against the Washington State Cougars, a triumph that won him the title of the special teams player of the week.

On April 30, 2018, Turner began his professional journey as he signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. Turner blocked a punt against San Francisco 49ers’ punter Mitch Wishnowsky in September 2020 season opener. His teammate Dennis Gardeck successfully recovered the ball, advancing it five yards to the 49ers’ 10-yard line.

In December 2020, in Week 15, Turner again blocked a punt against Philadelphia Eagles’ punter Cameron Johnston. This strategic move ended the Eagles’ drive on a turnover on downs as the ball bounced out of bounds at the Eagles’ 6-yard line. In the game’s final quarter, Turner caught a 26-yard reception from his punter Andy Lee on a successful fake punt, securing a first-down for the Cardinals.

Turner continued his journey with the Cardinals, signing a one-year contract extension on March 15, 2021, which he followed through on April 19. However, a shoulder injury paused his career for a while as he was placed on injured reserve on October 13, 2021. Nevertheless, he bounced back and was activated on January 17, 2022. His game was still major league material; the Cardinals asked him to re-sign on March 18, 2022. Not stopping there, he signed another one-year contract extension with the Cardinals on March 15, 2023.

After his lengthy tenure with the Cardinals, on March 20, 2024, Turner signed with the San Francisco 49ers. As fate would have it, he was released on August 14. Nevertheless, the resilient Turner found his way back into the game when he signed to the Houston Texans practice squad on August 28, 2024, a perfect example of how Ezekiel Turner, the free agent, is a synonym for resilience and determination.