Clemson safety gets opportunity with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Clemson senior Nolan Turner wasn’t drafted over the weekend in the NFL draft, but the former All-ACC safety is still getting an opportunity at the next level.

Turner has signed a free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to multiple reports, including one from The Athletic.

Turner signed with Tampa Bay Saturday evening, shortly after going undrafted.

The Alabama native had a great Pro Day in March, running a 4.46 40-yard dash, which likely helped Turner earn an NFL opportunity.

Turner was a super senior at Clemson in 2021 as he spent six seasons total with the Tigers program.

He signed with Clemson in the class of 2016 and redshirted his freshman season. In 2017, Turner appeared in 13 games and recorded 14 tackles.

His playing time continued to increase over the next several years and in 2021 he was finally named a permanent team captain and earned a starting job.

Turner was a part-time starter in 2019, before moving into a full-time starter role in 2020.

He finished the 2020 season with 66 tackles and three interceptions. Turner earned All-American honors for his performance that season.

In 2021, Turner finished fourth on the team with 69 tackles and added an interception. He missed three games due to injuries, including Clemson’s Cheez-It Bowl victory over Iowa State.

Turner is one of several players to get an NFL opportunity from this past season’s Clemson team.

Tigers cornerback Andrew Booth Jr., was drafted in the second round on Friday, while linebacker Baylon Spector was picked in the seventh round on Saturday.

Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich and linebacker James Skalski signed free agent deals on Saturday.

One player who has yet to sign with an NFL team yet is Clemson leading receiver Jusytn Ross, who went undrafted and has yet to be offered a deal.

Ross deal with multiple injuries in college, which likely led to him slipping out of the draft and continuing to not sign with an NFL team.