Arizona State punter Micheal Turk outperforms some offensive linemen at NFL combine with 25 bench press reps

Every year at the NFL scouting combine, there are a few performances that turn some heads.

One of them this year is from a punter.

Michael Turk, formerly of Arizona State, did just that on Thursday when he threw up 25 repetitions on the bench press.

By comparison, Turk’s 25 bench press reps outpaced some of the figures posted Thursday by various offensive linemen. North Carolina offensive tackle Charlie Heck (21), Washington center Nick Harris (20), and even Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (23), widely projected to be one of the top linemen taken in the draft, couldn’t top Turk.

PUNTER [email protected] punter Michael Turk puts up 25 reps on the bench press! #NFLCombinepic.twitter.com/gI8sK8IjnT

Turk, who was measured at 6-0 ½ and 226 pounds, spent two seasons at Arizona State, though 2018 was a redshirt year after he transferred from Lafayette.

The bench press drill at the combine is usually a litmus test for raw strength and can be useful in assessing linemen for their ability to generate push and drive against blockers. The total weight of the bar is 225 pounds, just one fewer than Turk’s listed weight.

Turk is the nephew of former NFL punter Matt Turk, who played 17 seasons in the league from 1995-2011 with the Redskins, Dolphins, Jets, Rams, Texans, and Jaguars. Throughout his time with the Sun Devils, Michael Turk trained with Matt. His other uncle, Dan Turk, also played in the NFL as an offensive lineman for 15 seasons (1985-99) with the Steelers, Buccaneers, Raiders, and Redskins.

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