MT #81

Malik Turner

Wide Receiver · Illinois

An Illinois all-time great receiver who has kept his NFL career alive through practice squads, waiver claims, and a productive detour in the UFL.

Malik Turner has never been a star at the NFL level, but he has proven remarkably durable as a depth receiver and special-teamer, sticking around the league since signing with Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2018. After a UFL stint reinvigorated his profile, he returned to San Francisco in 2025.

★ Ninth all-time at Illinois in career receiving yards and receptions

★ 2025 UFL regular season: 365 yards, 4 touchdowns with the Michigan Panthers

Path to the league

Turner starred at Illinois, finishing his college career ninth in program history in both receiving yards (1,804) and receptions (143), highlighted by a 2016 season with 48 catches for 712 yards and six touchdowns. He went undrafted in 2018 and signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Career highlights

Turner spent two seasons in Seattle before being claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys, where he played two more years, and later logged time with the San Francisco 49ers. Across his NFL career he has appeared in more than 40 games, contributing mostly as a special-teamer and depth receiver with 29 career receptions for 414 yards and four touchdowns through his time with Seattle and Dallas.

2025 season recap

Turner didn't make San Francisco's initial 53-man roster but starred in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers, posting 365 yards and four touchdowns. The 49ers signed him back in August 2025, and he spent the season largely on the practice squad, appearing in four games including San Francisco's NFC wild-card win over Philadelphia.