Turner: Opportunity ‘Pushes Me To Go Further And Further’
October 06, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Ezekiel Turner was still catching his breath. He had just run in off the practice field. Another workout behind him, one step closer to the next game, another opportunity with something to prove.
And for the safety, days like this are something to celebrate. They are a realization of a goal he set in high school.
Because back at Glen Burnie High School in Maryland, he believed he was a Division I safety, even though he didn't have a single scholarship offer. He wasn't afraid to take a chance and travel across the country to play at L.A. Pierce College.
His JUCO performance forced people to pay attention. Offers followed. Now here he is, an important piece of one of the nation's most talented defensive backfields.
That path, the determination it took to get to Washington and then earn an opportunity, "That just pushes me to go further and further every day," he said.
On the very first play of his second season with the Huskies, Turner turned in his first highlight of the year.
He made the game's first tackle on the opening kickoff and then celebrated with his teammates as he ran toward the sideline.
"I love being on special teams," he said. "We like setting the tone on kickoffs. I just ran down there unblocked and made a play on the ball."
Then against Portland State, with the Vikings driving, he forced a fumble linebacker Keishawn Bierria recovered. Turner has shown a knack for making big plays in opportune moments.
"I just try to do whatever I can, follow my rules, make plays on the ball," he said. "I just try to help the team as best I can."
And then there was the interception that wasn't. Later in win over Portland State, Turner made a diving attempt to pick off a tipped pass. It was ruled incomplete during the game, but based on the replay, it looked like a clean catch.
"That would have been the first interception of my career, but it just makes me hungry for more," he said.
He refuses to be satisfied, because of the work he has already invested to reach this point.
"There's always room for improvement," he said. "Even if you do something well, you want to stay consistent with it and not let it drop off. You've always got to keep working on things, even the stuff you're good at.
"I set high expectations for myself, my teammates, my unit. We're always pushing each other to be the best we can be."
There is a level of competition among Washington's defensive backs aimed at improvement. This group isn't focused on the number of reps they receive. They are too busy planning for success on Saturdays.
"There's no arrogance," said Turner, talking about what keeps the Huskies close. "We know we're versatile, so whoever gets their name called to go in, we've got to make big plays for the team, show what we can do.
Turner always believed he had Division I talent. Now he has played in each win for a program ranked No. 5 in the country. He believed he would get here. He made it happen.
And now it's on to the next one – the next practice, the next game, the latest opportunity.
"We've gotten off to a good start," he said. "We're just looking forward to each game, moving on to the next one, preparing for the next opponent."
