DeMel Turner, Cal Poly S: the 2026 season story
DeMel Turner is a senior defensive back for Cal Poly (Big Sky). He ranks 1090th of 1,841 defensive backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked defensive back, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. DeMel Turner's strongest measure is passes defended per 100 throws at 1.4, 368th of 921 (the average is 1.3). His weakest is yards per catch on his record at 20.2, 898th of 921 (the average is 11.6).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His tackles per game, 2.5, ranks 725th among 921 ranked defensive backs.
Against every defensive back
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked defensive backs he sits, on average, in the 21st percentile for volume, 32nd for efficiency and 56th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 10 games, DeMel Turner's best came in week 5 against Weber State and his quietest in week 7 at Northern Colorado.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every defensive back on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. DeMel Turner is 444th of 920 FCS defensive backs and 42nd of 91 in the Big Sky. Next up nationally is Ezekiel Swayne of San Diego, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Defensive backs like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Tim Christian of Southern Utah.
