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By Charlie K.
SouthernPigskin.com National Columnist
SouthernPigskin.com National Columnist Charlie K. looks at prep sensation Landon Turner and his big announcement this weekend as fans at UNC, VT and WVU countdown to Sunday. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan of us on Facebook at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
The news broke all over Twitter as soon as former USC signee Seantrel Henderson changed his avatar on his Facebook page to Miami colors that the big tackle had made his decision. That being the future first rounder was taking his talents south to the University of Miami.
Surprise? Not really. The Hurricanes were heavily involved in Henderson's recruiting process before he was sweet talked into the west coast by the smooth talking Lane Kiffin at USC.
For those who have been hiding under a rock, or totally consumed by the Lebron James saga, Henderson was granted his release from the Trojans earlier this week.
Henderson will give Miami a monster up front. From a football prospective, Henderson on paper is a game changer. A program maker. He has a massive frame with great feet and long arms. In other words, an NFL scout's dream come true.
As the Miami coaches and fans celebrate Henderson's decision, this coming Sunday one of three other college coaching staffs and fan bases will also be celebrating as this year's version of Henderson, Landon Turner of Harrisonburg, VA, will announce where he intends to enroll next January.
Turner broke on to the scene as just a freshman when his ninth grade highlight video went mainstream. And what a video it was.
At 6'3" and 289 pounds as a ninth grader, Turner had college coaches all over the country giddy. With a pedigree including his uncle Jim Braxton, who was O.J. Simpson's leading blocker at Buffalo, and a long list of family members who have been stars at the college level, Turner showed early on tape that he was a special athlete. He was the next great one. It was apparent watching two minutes of his ninth grade film he had the skill set and mean streak that you only see in the big timers. Some college coaches quietly commented he was the best finisher in the country. And that was as a freshman.
Fast forward to last year. Now at 6'5" and 300 pounds the manchild camped at Florida and Georgia and followed up his outstanding camp performances by mauling opposing central Virginia prep teams on his way to becoming that hot recruit everyone knew he'd grow into. The stars were now listed beside his name and the young Turner who had a Noel Devine type highlight video had become one of the nation's top recruits.
Over the past several months Turner has visited colleges all over the south and east coast. With his father West Turner being a former star at West Virginia, the Mountaineer nation has been abuzz about the potential of Turner lining up next to former 5 star prep sensation Josh Jenkins and last recruiting season's prize WVU signee Quintin Spain.
Also in Blacksburg, Virginia there has been an equal buzz. Turner has been a frequent visitor to the Hokies campus and living in Harrisonburg, where there is a strong VT influence, rumors have been circulating for months that Turner is a VT lean. Personally I've had fans and friends say of course he's going to VT. Or, I know his step father and he has indicated he loves Virginia. As in UVA. The rumor mill has been running wide open.
Meanwhile in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Tar Heels continue their impressive list of early verbal commitments, including a few highly rated offensive linemen. There have been quiet rumblings about Turner as Heel fans have kept a wait and see approach. Even last week when Turner cut his long list of colleges down to three, WVU, VT and UNC, Tar Heel fans were reserved.
Hey Morgantown, hey Blacksburg and attention Chapel Hill. Your time has come as Turner will announce this Sunday afternoon at a press conference his intentions. And he certainly has the social networking sites and websites all up in arms with fans trying to figure out who gets their man. The mere mention of Turner is a dream come true for a website as you can literally sit and watch the unique visitor count grow.
Earlier this week Turner said he wasn't talking to anymore media types. His father West told the Blue & Gold News of WVU that he had no idea where he was going and he told Landon to keep his decision to himself. The Hokie nation went into meltdown mode when Carolina fans began posting on their message boards that someone said something, that someone else heard from Turner's neighbors friend or something like that he was announcing in favor of UNC.
In other words, it's been a wide open week of Landon Turner talk. And the bottom line is nobody knows. Not even his family. This has always been Landon's decision and that has been obvious throughout the whole process.
Turner, who has taken college prep courses over the past year at Harrisonburg High, will enroll in January at whatever school he picks and will graduate in three years. Beside the fact he's an incredible talent on the football field, he's an equally gifted student. He also is as impressive as a good kid as he is a student and player. Those three important personality traits indicated that he will no doubt make a well thought out decision based upon not only football, but also academics. Most specifically business school as he plans to major in business and work towards an M.B.A..
Where Turner verbally commits is a big deal to the fan bases of all three schools. No doubt an accomplished player like Turner will likely start as a true freshman and go on to have a great career. Like Henderson, Turner is a program maker. When all the smoke clears, however, and the announcement has been made, regardless of his choice, it's a breath of fresh air that such a highly recruited blue chipper is making a well thought out decision verses saying yes to one team to change his mind within days or weeks to another school.
When asked if he'll change his mind Turner has indicated his recruiting process will end Sunday. To him a verbal commitment is exactly that. A commitment.
And those words are more important than any school he picks. Hopefully blue chippers all over the country will take note and follow suit. If you give a school a verbal commitment, you are committed.
Whether he becomes a Tar Heel, a Hokie or a Mountaineer, one thing is for sure. You're getting a great player, great leader on and off the field and most of all a guy who can keep a secret.
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Comments
before you pick, think about playing along side henderson. you two would dominate college football. come to the “U"… and be apart of the tradition and make your own.
Good luck too you big fella.
I’ve no idea, but UNC would be a fine choice! Davis is lining players up for NFL careers. Come join the gang!
Make Yourself Heard
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