LITTLE ROCK — About every 20 years, a prospect from an in-state school is unearthed by Arkansas late in the recruiting process and becomes a surprise hit.
Little Rock Central defensive lineman Jimmy Walker was the Razorbacks’ final signee in 1975 following a sparkling performance in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star game.
Walker went on to become an All-American.
North Little Rock defensive lineman Earl Scott was set to sign with Louisiana Tech in 1991 when he received a midnight phone call from Arkansas concerning a possible scholarship offer.
The following morning, Scott signed with Arkansas and became a three-year starter after moving to center.
Could Alan Turner’s story have the same ending?
It certainly has a similar beginning.
Turner, a standout running back/defensive back at Class 2A power Junction City, wasn’t offered a scholarship by Arkansas until about two weeks before the signing period began Feb. 3.
And Turner is still known more for being the other incoming scholarship freshman from Junction City since Arkansas also signed his longtime best friend Byran Jones, a heralded defensive lineman who is expected to play this fall.
“A year ago, I really wouldn’t have thought I would have signed with Arkansas,” Turner said. “They were looking at me, but at that time, they just weren’t showing great, great interest. I wouldn’t have expected this.”
But Turner’s resume was good enough to attract recruiting interest from Auburn, Baylor, Louisiana Tech, and, ultimately, a late scholarship offer from Arkansas.
“Surprised,” Turner said. “And happy.”
Turner, 5-11, 190 pounds, was a major cog the past three seasons at Junction City, helping the Dragons to a 36-3 record and state championships as a junior and senior.
As a Wishbone halfback, Turner ran 299 times for 2,648 yards and 34 touchdowns. He had 152 tackles and 13 interceptions at safety and returned 3 punts and 2 kickoffs for touchdowns.
“The thing that we always liked so much about him was how conscientious he is about everything he does,” Junction City Coach David Carpenter said. “He works as hard in the classroom as he does out on the practice field.
“You’ve got a kid that can run, that enjoys contact andhas a GPA [grade-point average] of like 3.7 or 3.8. That’s a great thing.”
Carpenter said Turner’s combination of speed and strength gives him a chance to succeed at Arkansas, where he will likely play safety.
Turner was a three-time Class 2A champion in the 200 meters and tied for seventh in the 190-pound class at this year’s Arkansas High School Weightlifting Championships after bench-pressing 280 pounds and power cleaning 265 pounds.
“The kid can bench 300 pounds,” Carpenter said. “For a D-back, that’s not bad coming out of high school.”
Now, the story is about becoming the next Jimmy Walker or Earl Scott.
Jones said he believes Turner can.
“I think Alan is going to do well up here,” he said.
Alan Turner at a glance POSITION Running back/safety SCHOOL Junction City High School HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 190 pounds 40-YARD DASH 4.5 seconds STATISTICS In three seasons, ran 299 times for 2,648 yards and 34 touchdowns, and had 152 tackles and 13 interceptions.
NOTEWORTHY Three-year starter. … Played on teams that finished 36-3 and won Class 2A state championships in 2008 and 2009. … Returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns in his career. … Three-time Class 2A champion in the 200 meters, with a career-best 22.66 seconds. … Lives roughly 100 yards from longtime best friend Byran Jones in Lillie, La., which is about 8 miles southeast of Junction City. Jones, a defensive lineman and incoming freshman at Arkansas, also played at Junction City, which draws students from rural areas just across the state line in neighboring parishes. Turner and Jones are roommates at Arkansas.
Sports, Pages 13 on 07/27/2010