Dallas Turner had two seasons to watch Will Anderson opposite him. Now in his junior season, Turner will be expected to do more on his own for Alabama football.

Turner said Thursday that he still turns to the former Crimson Tide All-American for advice.

“I talk to Will very frequently,” Turner said. “You know, to see how his mind is working with the transition going into the big league, National Football League.”

Turner stepped up into a starring role opposite Anderson as a freshman. He continued in the spot as a sophomore in 2022.

He’ll be expected to show even more this season, with Anderson off to the Houston Texans. That could create a measure of pressure for him, but he said his former teammate told him to block it all out.

“Honestly, the main thing he told me (is) to just relax, like he’s about football now,” Turner said. “Just don’t put so much pressure on yourself because of the type of name and all the hype you got to quote unquote ‘live up to.’”

The edge-rusher spot opposite Turner will likely go to Chris Braswell, who played well in spots last season. However, Turner will be the one expected to play a starring role.

Last season, he had 37 tackles with four sacks. As a freshman, Turner sacked the quarterback 8.5 times.

He’s taken more of a leadership role throughout camp for 2023. On Wednesday, Nick Saban praised him during a press conference.

“Dallas has done great,” Saban said. “He’s been a really good leader, he’s setting a good example, he’s worked very hard. He’s been very productive and I think he’s just done fantastic for us.”

The new young talent at the outside linebacker spot includes the likes of Keon Keeley and Yhonzae Pierre, both five-star recruits from the class of 2023. Turner said he was impressed by their physical ability and progression throughout camp.

He also spoke of how he is ready to lead younger players like Keeley and Pierre.

“It’s a new generation of college football now,” Turner said. “So just me having the experience I had playing as a freshman and stuff, just knowing what it takes to get to where we want to be, I can just echo that. Just tell everybody, trying to get everybody on the same page, just making sure everybody’s ready to work for the season.”

Alabama opens the season Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee State.

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