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 . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

High School Recruiting Takes the Spotlight - #482

Listen

May 16 - Hr2 - S4Ep40 - Chicago Sky, ACC Issues & Northwestern Stadium

Listen

May 16 - Hr1 - S4Ep40 - Coaching Contracts, NBA Draft, Football & Golf Updates

Listen

Bielema and Underwood Earn Contract Extensions - #481

Listen

May 9 - Hr2 - S4Ep39 - Saban, Podziemski & White Sox Struggles

Listen

May 9 - Hr1 - S4Ep39 - Illini Golf, Adkins Golf Club & Illini Recruit JC Anderson

Listen

May 2 - Hr2 - S4Ep38 - Kentucky Derby and NFL Draft Wrap

Listen

May 2 - Hr1 - S4Ep38 - Stojakovic Selects Illinois

Listen

Andrej Stojakovic Selects the Fighting Illini - #480

Listen

Apr 25 - Hr2 - S4Ep37 - Illini Spring Football with Matt Stevens

Listen

Apr 25 - Hr1 - S4Ep37 - Illini Hoops, Golf & Bears News

Listen

Serbian PG Mihailo Petrovic Commits - #479

Listen

Portal Kombat – April 21, 2025 Edition - #478

Listen

Apr 18 - Hr2 - S4Ep36 - WNBA, NFL Draft & Masters

Listen

Apr 18 - Hr1 - S4Ep36 - Portal Kombat Updates - Hoops & Gridiron

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.