Illini Complete Speed Dating Recruitment of JUCO DB Donovan Turner

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

May 22, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The idea of ‘speed dating’ has been used by several power conference coaching staffs to describe the current process of transfer portal recruiting and the term might not be more applicable than to Donovan Turner’s verbal pledge.

Turner, a 6-foot-1 and 192-pound defensive back, gave his verbal pledge to commit to Illinois on Wednesday evening after crossing the country with his high school and early college football journey. Turner was most recently a 2024 first-team selection . . .

 

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