
Texas Southern’s linebacking wildcard with upside if the stat sheet catches up
Ellis Turner is a Texas Southern linebacker worth watching because he fits the profile of a physical, disruptive defender whose value often shows up in edge-setting, run fits, and effort plays before it fully pops in the box score. Publicly available 2025 team-level stats show Texas Southern’s defense allowed 164.7 rushing yards and 192.9 passing yards per game, so a linebacker who can help tighten the middle matters a lot in 2026. If your team wants a tone-setter with room to grow, Turner is the kind of player who can make a defense feel a little meaner.