LINCOLN — As Nebraska prepares to make a call on taking a quarterback in this recruiting class, it already has drawn a bead on a record-breaking junior who could anchor its 2011 signing class.
Jamal Turner of Arlington, Texas, dropped another pretty strong hint as to where NU stands by traveling to the Holiday Bowl last week in San Diego.
“I would seem to think that shows some type of interest,'' joked Danny Edelman, head coach at Sam Houston High in Arlington.
Turner has called Nebraska his front-runner as the dual-threat quarterback piles up offers, including from Oklahoma and Texas A&M. The 6-foot, 170-pounder will be a third-year starter next season for Sam Houston.
“He's been pretty open-minded to a lot of things,'' Edelman said. “For a young man of his age and with all the things going on, he's been pretty wise in just looking at everything.''
Edelman said Turner already owns 38 school records and 19 city records. As a junior, he eclipsed 2,000 yards both passing and rushing, setting himself up to be among the leading dual-threat quarterback recruits next winter.
Whether or not schools see Turner as a quarterback might play into where he goes.
Edelman said Texas A&M has him targeted as a defensive back. Tulsa as an athlete. Alabama as an athlete or receiver. Oklahoma as a possible prospect at quarterback going in, but also as an athlete.
Turner has said he won't make any announcement until visiting Alabama for a junior day in coming weeks.
Is it all-or-nothing with playing quarterback?
“I don't know in the end,'' Edelman said. “I think he's just sitting back and weighing all the situations out there. Naturally, he's a quarterback. But at the same time, he's a very good athlete.''
Turner threw for 2,600 yards as a sophomore in Sam Houston's wide-open attack, when Edelman wanted him to learn quarterback play, understand the passing game and not just run around with the football. Last season, Edelman wanted to “get the run game back in our offense” and it led to the more balanced stats for Turner.
Turner also has offers from Memphis and Vanderbilt.
“When someone asks me what school I'm going to, I always say Nebraska,” Turner told rivals.com. “I know that's where I'm going; I'm just waiting it out.''
Contact the writer:
444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com
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