Rivals100 DE Shemar Turner commits to Texas A&M

Signing Day could not come early enough for Rivals100 defensive end Shemar Turner.

In fact, one of the nation’s best defensive lineman realized where he wants to play on Saturdays four days shy of the early signing window on Wednesday.

The DeSoto (Texas) High School standout committed to Texas A&M on Saturday. Texas, LSU, Alabama and Georgia were other finalists for the country’s No. 27 overall prospect.

Turner, who was largely tied to both the Aggies and Longhorns, was strongly swayed by DeSoto alum Von Miller and his success in College Station. Alabama was also a major contender for the four-star.

"They're pushing their four-man front. Everybody from DeSoto went there and then went to the league, so the little bits and pieces that they're putting together is going really well," Turner told Rivals of the Aggies' push at the beginning of his senior season.

Then, Turner maintained he was considering all five of his finalists. Since then, Texas A&M has emerged as one of the top teams in college football, entering this weekend's action as the No. 5 team in the land.

Turner is ranked as the No. 4 strong side end in America and the No. 6 prospect from Texas. He bolsters the Aggies’ No. 15-ranked recruiting class, which also other notable elite in-state prospects such as Reuben Fatheree, Deuce Harmon and Marcus Burris.

Turner has been a dynamic defensive player over the past three seasons, consistently developing and expanding his game leading to his senior campaign, in which he has been brilliant for DeSoto High School.

Turner is a big-bodied prospect at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds with the versatility to play all over the defensive front. As a senior, he's emerged as an option for the 3, 4 and 5-technique capable of creating mismatches and giving opposing offensive lines headaches.

As a sophomore in 2018, Turner was named the District 7-6A Co-Defensive Sophomore of the Year. He turned in 70 tackles, including 7.0 tackles for loss, with four sacks, three forced fumbles and two recoveries. A year later, Turner improved those numbers with 10 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks.

In eight games as a senior, Turner has been exceptional. He's already accounted for 54 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries and two fumbled forced and recovered. Over the past three seasons, Turner has shown a knack for knocking the ball loose and seizing it — evident by six fumbles caused and recovered five fumbles.

Turner is explosive off the line and with his massive size and motor, is able to generate backfield pressure from multiple spots along the defensive line. He’s an absolute bowling ball from a 3-technique and is long enough with enough quickness and persistence to generate pressure off the edge as well.

He’s long and strong and his reach gives him an added advantage when chasing down quarterbacks outside of the pocket. On certain snaps, Turner drops back into coverage and flashes the rare ability to motor down the sideline at 280 pounds like a linebacker.

Turner gives defensive coordinator’s flexibility with scheme and technique, though his skill-set is certainly suited for an interior defensive line role. Additionally, he’s shown the ability to absorb multiple blockers and set the edge in the run game. He’s disruptive and difficult to contain, and he’s developed an arsenal of pass-rush moves and position-specific technique to further expand his game.