Former Alabama All-American Nick Saban Favorite Star Signs His first NFL Contract

**Former Alabama All-American Signs First NFL Contract**

Former Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner has signed his first NFL contract just in time for training camp with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings’ rookies reported to the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota, on Sunday. The team announced that their first-round draft picks, Turner and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, signed their contracts shortly after arriving.

With Turner and McCarthy now under contract, Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims remains the only one of the 257 players drafted in April yet to sign. Mims was selected 18th overall by the Bengals, while the Vikings picked McCarthy at No. 10 and Turner at No. 17.

Turner’s contract is a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $15.767 million, including a signing bonus of $8.287 million. A consensus All-American for Alabama in 2023, Turner joined the Vikings after Minnesota traded the 23rd and 167th picks in this year’s draft, along with third- and fourth-round selections in next year’s draft, to the Jacksonville Jaguars to move up to No. 17.

Turner recorded 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season for Alabama. The Vikings sought a player with his abilities after losing defensive end Danielle Hunter to the Houston Texans in free agency. Hunter had 16.5 sacks and an NFL-best 23 tackles for loss in the 2023 season.