Running back AJ Turner not sure on decision
June 27, 2014
247sports bio
Rivals bio
Scouts bio
Class of 2015 four-star running back AJ Turner 5'11" 180lbs (Clifton, Va./Centreville) who has emerged as one of South Carolina's top targets had always hoped to make an announcement on National Signing Day but he recently come to the conclusion that it might not be the best way to handle his recruitment.
"Before I didn't really know that spots filled up or anything like that and as you get further with your recruitment, you start to notice different things and realize things and that was one of the things that I noticed," Turner said. "I immediately thought my dream of doing the little hat thing [on signing day] isn't going to happen, because if I want to go to a great college that is a great fit for me, I can't really let those spots fill up."
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Turner, who has offers from programs like South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio State, Virginia and Wisconsin among others, says he's not completely given up hope of announcing on signing day, but says a much earlier decision is now likely, though he isn't sure when a decision might come.
Turner, who has a rating of 0.8841 in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 27 running back in the country, isn't naming any leaders at this time, but admits he had an excellent visit to South Carolina in late April.
"I loved the academic support that they have there," Turner said. "Ms. Maria (Hickman) she felt like my mom, honestly, she was like, 'You're going to do this and you're going to do it my way and if you don't then you're going to be out of here' and stuff like that. (laughs) I liked that. I also liked the football aspect They're a top program. They've had great history. I was really surprised by the academic support and I found out that their APR is 980 which is really, really good. You also have to think about life after football and they have a pretty decent alumni-base too."
South Carolina defensive line coach Deke Adams, who recruits Virginia for the Gamecocks, and running backs coach Everette Sands have tag-teamed Turner's recruitment.
"I think we're close, we're really close," Turner said. "They've been real with me from the jump, with me and with my parents. They tell it to me straight. That's always a good thing to have an honest coach. They're just really awesome people and they just keep it real with me and that's what I need."
Turner, who is considered the No. 340 prospect in the country and No. 13 prospect in Virginia, has taken a measured approach to his decision.
"I have several different things that are a part of my criteria," Turner said. "I'm a big church guy, so I want to be involved with the campus ministry and that's real important to me. I believe that God puts you in a certain spot for a reason. I choose to believe that, so that's probably No. 1. Then, the academics and life after football.
"Then obviously, the program and everything that goes with that, like is there playing time, how far is it away from home, the weather. None of that really bothers me, but I want to look at it all. Then obviously, I want to go to a place with great team chemistry. That's real important to me because I want to be at a family-based university where we're all brothers, we're all playing for each other and we're all doing our jobs."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G7ZCYK4tGk
June 27, 2014
247sports bio
Rivals bio
Scouts bio
Class of 2015 four-star running back AJ Turner 5'11" 180lbs (Clifton, Va./Centreville) who has emerged as one of South Carolina's top targets had always hoped to make an announcement on National Signing Day but he recently come to the conclusion that it might not be the best way to handle his recruitment.
"Before I didn't really know that spots filled up or anything like that and as you get further with your recruitment, you start to notice different things and realize things and that was one of the things that I noticed," Turner said. "I immediately thought my dream of doing the little hat thing [on signing day] isn't going to happen, because if I want to go to a great college that is a great fit for me, I can't really let those spots fill up."
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Turner, who has offers from programs like South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio State, Virginia and Wisconsin among others, says he's not completely given up hope of announcing on signing day, but says a much earlier decision is now likely, though he isn't sure when a decision might come.
Turner, who has a rating of 0.8841 in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 27 running back in the country, isn't naming any leaders at this time, but admits he had an excellent visit to South Carolina in late April.
"I loved the academic support that they have there," Turner said. "Ms. Maria (Hickman) she felt like my mom, honestly, she was like, 'You're going to do this and you're going to do it my way and if you don't then you're going to be out of here' and stuff like that. (laughs) I liked that. I also liked the football aspect They're a top program. They've had great history. I was really surprised by the academic support and I found out that their APR is 980 which is really, really good. You also have to think about life after football and they have a pretty decent alumni-base too."
South Carolina defensive line coach Deke Adams, who recruits Virginia for the Gamecocks, and running backs coach Everette Sands have tag-teamed Turner's recruitment.
"I think we're close, we're really close," Turner said. "They've been real with me from the jump, with me and with my parents. They tell it to me straight. That's always a good thing to have an honest coach. They're just really awesome people and they just keep it real with me and that's what I need."
Turner, who is considered the No. 340 prospect in the country and No. 13 prospect in Virginia, has taken a measured approach to his decision.
"I have several different things that are a part of my criteria," Turner said. "I'm a big church guy, so I want to be involved with the campus ministry and that's real important to me. I believe that God puts you in a certain spot for a reason. I choose to believe that, so that's probably No. 1. Then, the academics and life after football.
"Then obviously, the program and everything that goes with that, like is there playing time, how far is it away from home, the weather. None of that really bothers me, but I want to look at it all. Then obviously, I want to go to a place with great team chemistry. That's real important to me because I want to be at a family-based university where we're all brothers, we're all playing for each other and we're all doing our jobs."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G7ZCYK4tGk
Last edited by a moderator: