LORMAN — Most days people can find former Alcorn State University running back De’Lance Turner training.

After a stellar senior year with the Braves, Turner is working toward his dream: the National Football League — something he never thought he would be close to several years ago.

“During my first year in JuCo, I almost quit football,” Turner said.

Last year, Turner ran for 1,357 yards — which was good for second in the nation — and 10 touchdowns.

Before he became the main back in Lorman, Turner toughed out a career at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

In his first year at Co-Lin, Turner redshirted, and the decision wore on him since it was his first season of not playing since he was 6 or 7 years old.

Yet, his mom talked him into keeping with the game.

“She told me not to worry, it will be OK and I should just wait it out,” Turner said.

With that resolve, Turner adopted what he calls the “Grind or get cut” mentality. He worked harder than he ever had before to achieve his goals. The training helped him achieve All-American status last year at Alcorn.

As Turner is continuing to put in the work toward his childhood dream, he is preparing for his first official interview: his pro day.

Today at the University of Southern Mississippi, Turner will have the opportunity to showcase his skillset to multiple NFL scouts. He wants to show those scouts how agile, explosive and composed he is — which are the three words he choose to describe his running style.

Scouts want to see that, too.

“They told me they liked my stuff and they are really just waiting on my times from my pro day,” Turner said. “They know my background and all that. They are just waiting for my times.”

The McLain native expects himself to run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. If he does that, he believes he could create some buzz for himself.

While Turner is trying to show scouts just how fast he truly is, he also wants to show off his football IQ, which he believes separates himself from other running backs in this year’s draft.

One current Brave raved about Turner’s IQ.

“He is one of the smartest players I have been around, as far as football IQ,” said current Alcorn State running back P.J. Simmons. “I learned a lot of tic and tacs about the running back game from him.”

Not only will the pro day will give Turner the chance to show what he is made of, it will also provide him the opportunity for feedback. However, Turner is always the first to critique himself. He believes he still needs to work on his pass protection, his one-step cuts and reading the defense faster.

Despite having to clean up those areas, Alcorn State coach Fred McNair believes Turner has put himself in a place to reach his dream.

“I think what he has done over the last year, he has grown as an individual and understands the things that make a good running back,” McNair said. “He put himself in a good position right now to be able to make somebody’s squad.”

At the end of the day, Turner just wants a chance. If that means he has to play on defense or at long snapper or even kicker, he will do. Anything for the opportunity to play in the NFL.

“Where ever they put me,” Turner said. “I don’t care. As long as I get a shot.

“I’m just waiting on the opportunity. If given the shot, I’ll make the most of it.”

 

 

Story by Garrett Kroeger