Cincinnati Bengals second-round pick DJ Turner isn’t the only first-year defensive back putting on a show at training camp.
Seventh-round rookie D.J. Ivey has made the most of his opportunity too, which he capped with an exclamation point over the weekend on Back Together Saturday.
There, Ivey picked off a pass and broke up multiple others, including a would-be touchdown.
Granted, Ivey was putting in this showing while starting quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t have command of the offense. But it was proof of concept for Bengals coaches who loved Ivey the person and Ivey the football player with immense traits.
“I fell in love when he got here and we spent the day with him,” cornerback coach Charles Burks told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “A very genuine guy. A good person. He’s quiet but has confidence. Whatever else he brings to the table, you can work with the traits that he has.”
It’s a fantastic overall start for a late-round pick who was initially projected to have a tough time making the final 53. Ivey has a shot if he can ride this wave of momentum though, which would only make a good problem for the Bengals to have after cornerback depth has been rather thin over the last two years.
DJ Ivey with the INT 🔥 #ProCanes pic.twitter.com/Dc6Sbih2av
— 365CANESFOOTBALL (@365canesinfo) July 29, 2023
