This story was updated to add new information.
The Denver Broncos signed former Wisconsin and Michigan State linebacker Jordan Turner to a tryout contract on Monday.
Turner recently went undrafted and unsigned during the NFL draft cycle. He makes the jump to the professional level after one season at Michigan State, during which he appeared in all 12 games and recorded 66 tackles, 11 for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and a pass deflection.
That campaign followed four seasons at Wisconsin (2020-23). He originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in its class of 2020. After redshirting as a true freshman and playing sparingly on a senior-heavy defense in 2021, Turner emerged as a full-time starter in 2022 and 2023. He finished those seasons with a combined 129 tackles, 12 for loss, five sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and three pass deflections.
The linebacker reunites with former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard in Denver. Leonhard enters his second season with the organization in 2025, currently titled as its defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach. He previously spent the 2023 season as an analyst with Bret Bielema at Illinois. That followed him leaving the Badgers after Luke Fickell’s hire at the end of the 2022 campaign.
We’ve signed TE Cole Fotheringham, ILB Jordan Turner, WR Kyrese White and LS Zach Triner.
» https://t.co/7oh4KxnJuW pic.twitter.com/aWsmRVbSnI
Turner is a long shot to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster, given the nature of his contract. His most likely path to a steady role is on the team’s practice squad. That status will be worth monitoring as training camp gets underway later this summer. For now, it’s easy to point to the Leonhard connection as a major reason for Turner’s signing.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Former Wisconsin linebacker signs with NFL team, reunites with Jim Leonhard
Reporting by Ben Kenney, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
