Los Angeles Rams defensive star Kobie Turner is set to speak at his alma mater's graduation ceremony this spring.
Los Angeles Rams star defensive end Kobie Turner is set to speak at his alma mater’s graduation ceremony this spring at the University of Richmond.
The graduation is set for May 10.
According to the Richmond website, Turner is set to speak in front of 840 undergraduate students (and thousands of their family and friends) earning their bachelor’s degrees from the School of Arts & Sciences, Robins School of Business, and Jepson School of Leadership Studies.
Turner said he is grateful for the opportunity to speak at the graduation ceremony for his alma mater.
“I’m thrilled and honored to serve as the Commencement speaker for this year’s graduating class at my alma mater, University of Richmond,” Turner said. “The time spent at Richmond was a memorable part of my journey, and my professors and peers played a significant role in my growth and development. I hope to pay forward some of the guidance that’s been provided to me and inspire the next generation of UR graduates.”
Richmond president Kevin F. Hallock said it will be an honor to have Turner speak in front of the graduates.
“I am delighted that our graduating students and their supporters will hear from Kobie, an absolutely extraordinary and kind person who challenges himself, nurtures his talents, and has already achieved so much,” Hallock said. “Richmond students are remarkable, and they graduate prepared to lead lives of purpose. Kobie exemplifies all of this, and he is sure to inspire our newest graduates.”
Turner started his college career at Richmond. He played there from 2018 to 2021 before transferring to Wake Forest.
The 26-year-old earned Colonial Athletic Association honors three times, including back-to-back First Team All-CAA selections in the 2021 spring and fall seasons. Turner was also named CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year during the 2021 spring campaign.
He appeared in 37 career games at the University of Richmond, including 27 consecutive starts to close out 2021. Over that span, he recorded 158 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, and 15.0 sacks, while also forcing three fumbles and recovering three.
The Rams loved what they saw from Turner, selecting him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Los Angeles selected him with the 89th pick that spring.
Turner finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He has tallied 167 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 43 quarterback hits, 24 sacks, nine passes defended and one interception in 51 career games.