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Kemoko Turay had an up and down career at Rutgers, as shoulder injuries hindered him for a good portion of his time on the banks. However, his enormous potential was always evident. During his senior season in 2017, Turay was clearly the best edge rushing threat on the team. He led the team in tackles for a loss (7), quarterback hits (6), sacks (4), fumble recoveries (2) and was third on the team in total tackles with 65. Turay showed he had become a more complete player and the hope for him to have a chance to make it in the NFL was alive.
After Turay’s performances throughout the week during practices for the Senior Bowl, as well as a few moments during the game itself, it’s now a matter of how high he will be selected in April’s NFL Draft. The praise from draft analysts has been universal and Turay’s name is now on the radar of every NFL front office. Here is a summary of all that took place with Turay at last week’s Senior Bowl.
Here are several clips of what analysts were saying on the NFL Network broadcasts during practices.
Listen to what the analysts at the @seniorbowl had to say about DE Kemoko Turay! @Kturay_58 pic.twitter.com/k9kR6QZu6z
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) January 23, 2018
There were plenty of updates on twitter as well.
Kemoko Turay off the edge here pic.twitter.com/fpUObRaDRU
— Tyler Morales (@TylerMorales__) January 24, 2018
Kemoko Turay showing off some bend. pic.twitter.com/2njVwzg9vp
— Connor (@connorx147) January 24, 2018
Video: Get dizzy just watching Rutgers’ Kemoko Turay go through defensive line drills at @seniorbowl. pic.twitter.com/fQ7oN021h9
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) January 25, 2018
With all the praise being heaped on the now healthy shoulders of Turay, it made sense that he was named the top linebacker for the practice awards handed out by the Senior Bowl personnel.
'18 @alabamapower Practice Awards
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 26, 2018
Overall: Shaquem Griffin, UCF
QB: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
RB: Akrum Wadley, Iowa
TE/WR: James Washington, OSU
OL: Isaiah Wynn, Georgia
DL: Justin Jones, NCState
LB: Kemoko Turay, Rutgers
DB: M.J. Stewart, No. Carolina
K/P: Daniel Carlson, Auburn pic.twitter.com/0E6umzvvIw
Congrats @Kturay_58 on being named @seniorbowl "LB Practice Player of the Week"‼️#RoadToTheNFL #BuildALegacyHere #TheHunt pic.twitter.com/1t2f95w4LJ
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) January 26, 2018
While Turay only registered 1 tackle during the Senior Bowl, here are three clips showed how close he came to making a bigger impact.
Kemoko Turay does a nice job using his speed to create a soft edge and dipping under the OT to force the QB to move. I would like to see him finish off the rip with his inside better but showing a ton of promise none the less. pic.twitter.com/NsQUwJQ473
— Matt Lane (@ChiefinCarolina) January 29, 2018
Kemoko Turay (@Kturay_58) goes chop/dip/rip. Check the bend! Turns the corner for a near strip-sack! #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/S3CpVXsXjv
— DLineVids (@DLineVids) January 27, 2018
Kemoko Turay continues to show off his “length and ability” with this move to get to the QB. @seniorbowl @kturay_58 pic.twitter.com/Pw3fRzi3zt
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) January 27, 2018
Here is detailed scouting report on Turay and delves into why his skill set has the attention of scouts and NFL personnel.
A look at Rutgers EDGE Kemoko Turay and how his cornering skills are making him money this week. https://t.co/ZzpvMwVfRf
— Kyle Crabbs (@NDTScouting) January 25, 2018
Kemoko Turay has been the truth this week. Great look at his ankle flexibility by @NDTScouting here https://t.co/5OkYkc569Y
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 25, 2018
And now, here are many positive comments from throughout the week from various NFL draft analysts via twitter:
Kemoko Turay edge speed on that one walkthrough rep. He’s going full bore
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 23, 2018
Kemoko Turay running impossible angles to the pocket. Biggest riser for me this week
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 27, 2018
Y'all need to be talking about Kemoko Turay the DE from Rutgers more than you are....
— Joey Ickes (@JoeyIckes) January 26, 2018
Me, @JohnOwning, & @NDTScouting are all on the train... get on while you have a chance...
That's nice. He may be. But he's not been the best performing defensive player in practices thus far. Kemoko Turay has been amazing and Okoronkwo has flashed quite a bit
— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) January 25, 2018
I haven't seen every snap, but Kemoko Turay of Rutgers really looks fast around the edge.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) January 24, 2018
Kemoko Turay is going to be a 7-10 sack guy in a 3-4 defense his first year. Bendy, quick off the snap, will be a tough assignment in space for OTs.
— Underdogs of War (@Randyljobst) January 24, 2018
Rutgers EDGE Kemoko Turay showed bend there that most pass rushers don't have.
— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) January 27, 2018
Joe Woods said Kemoko Turay, from Rutgers and Okoronkwo, from Oklahoma have been battling all week for the "quickest first step". Loves what both those guys bring as pass rushers. #SeniorBowl
— Jeffrey Essary (@JeffreyEssary) January 25, 2018
So that Rutgers EDGE rusher I’ve been watching during the week.... Kemoko Turay......he’s pretty good. Gonna watch some of his game film. Loved what I saw this week but if the tape shows, he might be a top 50 prospect.
— Jared Feinberg (@JrodsVlogs) January 26, 2018
Rutgers OLB Kemoko Turay continues what’s been an impressive week with a pair of easy wins in one-on-one drills. Good burst, and he’s using his hands well.
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) January 25, 2018
Kemoko Turay is the best interview I've ever had. Engaging, intelligent and a passionate guy. He's one of the best stories of perseverance at this year's @seniorbowl. https://t.co/Y6ICyGUVYL
— Kyle Crabbs (@NDTScouting) January 24, 2018
Comparing and contrasting how Carl Lawson and Kemoko Turay use the stab-chop-rip combination. An extremely effective move that each use slightly differently because of their size, power and athletic profiles.
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 29, 2018
Someone is going to get a steal in Turay this draft. pic.twitter.com/ooJrkik9vd
#Rutgers DE Kemoko Turay is a prospect Mel Kiper Jr. has his eye on. He's at #SeniorBowl. #Giants at Senior Bowl. Is there a match? Sure seems like one. https://t.co/tFijqdjNPA #njfootball
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) January 23, 2018
Bleacher Report included Turay in their list of biggest winners from Senior Bowl week here.
NFL draft’s biggest winners, losers from all-star games https://t.co/hhzZZ0dOqi pic.twitter.com/CqDVeRBHsH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 29, 2018
The best part of Turay getting all of this positive attention has been the fact that he is a class act and has represented himself and Rutgers so well over the years. He shared his appreciation and thanks this past week from his twitter account.
I am extremely grateful for receiving an award for being LB best practice of the week @seniorbowl
— Kemoko Turay (@Kturay_58) January 26, 2018
Want to thank Phil Savage and Patrick woo and the rest of the senior bowl staff for the great experience at Mobile Alabama. @P_Woo it was a great experience and an opportunity to meet top players around the nation.
— Kemoko Turay (@Kturay_58) January 28, 2018
Kemoko Turay @Kturay_58 just made Charlie and Cuppy best friends. @seniorbowl @reeses pic.twitter.com/9lE3RIfaL1
— Patrick Woo (@P_Woo) January 26, 2018
While Rutgers fans will always wonder “what if” with Turay if he had remained healthy during his college career, it is also satisfying to have seen him make the most of the opportunity that the Senior Bowl provided him. He’ll have another chance in February, as Turay received a coveted invitation to the NFL combine, which will be another great opportunity to showcase his talents in front of league personnel.
Very thankful . I am speechless but words can’t explain the opportunity to showcase my talent in front of scouts and NFL GM’s and in front of my family’s and supporters of Rutgers Fans. Love everybody that had apart to do with my journey. @Nhemie66 @CoachSmokeNJ@KJJFlood pic.twitter.com/FsvAgzW46J
— Kemoko Turay (@Kturay_58) December 25, 2017
We will continue to follow Turay’s journey during the NFL draft process and look forward to seeing him have a successful career on Sunday’s in the near future.