In Focus: Turpin Works To ‘Make An Impact’
October 27, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Damion Turpin takes a simple approach when looking at his role with Washington. The senior goes into each practice looking to "get my reps in" and then, when Saturday rolls around, he makes sure he is ready to "be a presence on the field."
It is that steady focus on preparation that has allowed the defensive lineman to be ready each time his name is called.
"I'm just taking advantage of every opportunity I get," Turpin said. "Whenever I get in the game I try to make an impact."
During last week's 41-17 win over Oregon State, Turpin found himself in one of those moments when he was asked to make a play. He anticipated the snap and made a tackle in the backfield.
Unfortunately, that tackle never showed up in the stat sheet. The Beavers called a last-second timeout.
But, while the play didn't count, it demonstrates the way Turpin has embraced his role. He understands where he fits on the Huskies' defensive line. He treats every chance to step onto the field as a precious opportunity that can't be wasted.
"That's been my whole goal, especially with it being my last year – just have no regrets," Turpin said. "When I'm on the field, I just take advantage of my opportunity."
In his final season with Washington, Turpin is trying to squeeze everything he can out of his time with the Huskies.
"It's been a beautiful time, a learning process," he said. "I'm learning things off the field, on the field. Being away from my family in California, I'm learning how to be a man. It's been a big change. It makes you grow up really fast. Once I adjusted, I started having a great time here."
His "great time" has been fueled by days working alongside talented teammates.
"This is a great defensive line," Turpin said. "We're so diverse. We're all comfortable with each other. We have a chemistry I've never had with any other D-linemen. I feel like I could be on the field with any D-lineman and trust that guy to do his job and he can trust me to do mine.
"It's a comfortable feeling knowing your teammates will do their job as you focus on yours."
However, Turpin's job isn't limited to those moments on the field. When he's on the sideline, he makes sure to stay positive. He tries to be an encouraging influence for his teammates.
And then, when it's his turn to take the field, well, "I just visualize making big plays."
Turpin, who already has an undergraduate degree in American ethnic study, has also taken advantage of the academic opportunities provided by his scholarship.
"I'm really interested in different cultures, anything I can do to help others," he said. "I'm not really a complicated person."
Outside the classroom and off the field, Tuprin keeps it simple, watching sports and playing video games. His driving influence is helping people.
"I want to go into counseling," he said. "I like working with the youth. Maybe I'll do some social work. I like working with people who want to do what I'm doing now, people who want to play football at the college level, so they're more prepared than I was."
He thinks about how much he has learned over the course of his career. He wishes he had a better baseline when he arrived, so he hopes to find ways to share what he's learned with a younger generation.
"I just want to give people opportunities so they know what they're getting themselves into," he said.
Turpin has enjoyed his time in the Northwest so much he plans to stay after his career concludes.
"I like it up here," he said. "It's beautiful, a different environment."
