Turner was born on March 16, 2000, in Clackamas, Oregon.[1] He attended Clackamas High School, where he was a two-sport athlete in football and basketball.[2] He helped lead his football team to three consecutive conference titles and a state championship in 2017.[2] He led the state of Oregon in receiving as a senior in 2017 with 76 receptions for 1,325 yards and 20 touchdowns, earning him all-state honors.[2]
College career
Turner enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2018 and appeared in 12 games as a freshman for the Nevada Wolf Pack football team as a wide receiver.[1][2] He transitioned to tight end as a sophomore in 2020, where he was given first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors after recording nine touchdown catches and finishing second on the team in catches (49) and receiving yards (605) behind Romeo Doubs.[1][2] As a senior in 2021, he was named to the All-Mountain West second-team after making 10 touchdown catches, which was tied for second in the nation among tight ends behind Georgia's Brock Bowers.[2] He played in the 2022 Senior Bowl.[3]
Turner was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft and signed his four-year rookie contract on May 6, 2022.[6][7] He was waived by the team on August 27, 2024, and joined their practice squad the following day.[8]
Personal life
Turner's given name is Nicolas but has preferred going by Cole since childhood.[1][9]