Interview: 2018 California Talent Randell Turner Shining at MLB for Norco

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Norco High School head coach Chuck Chastain knew he had a football player on his hands with Randell Turner. The trouble with a talent like Turner, where to play him to best utilize his athleticism to help put W’s on the schedule? After a solid sophomore season lining up primarily at defensive end, and some at tight end, Turner has taken a shine in his new role at middle linebacker for the Cougars in 2016.

Turner got onto the California varsity gridiron as a sophomore coming up with 50 tackles and four sacks in five games as a promising 6-2, 220 pound, end. Now Turner is dropping ball carriers all over the field helping Norco to a 5-2 start on the year. The early stat line is filled with 57 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. His high production and big play has helped him earn team captain honors.

The move has been a good fit for Turner. When asked about the switch the junior stated, “Honestly it has been amazing. I haven’t had any coverage breakdowns and I’m reading the guards easy. It has been a good transition.” Turner was quick to add, “I like middle linebacker more than defensive end to be honest.”

When asked about the biggest adjustment with the switch, “It was a big switch playing in space, but after our first game I was comfortable with the change.”

Overall the 2016 season has gone well for Turner, or in his own words “really good” despite being a little banged up early in the schedule with some nagging injuries. The Cougars have three games left on the schedule against Santiago (Oct. 21), Centennial (Oct. 28), and Roosevelt (Nov. 3). The game against Centennial looms large. Not only is Centennial a crosstown Corona rival but the Huskies are the No. 7 ranked team in the nation per MaxPreps coming in with a 6-1 record. The lone loss was a last second two-point attempt IMG Academy converted to win 50-49.

Turner has Centennial circled stating, “Centennial, that is always a big one. We are clicking right now as a team. The Centennial game will be a fight. I think it will go well for us. I’m very confident.”

Interest is just starting to roll in for Turner with Duke, Colorado State, and Boise State among the teams already poking around. The showdown against Centennial will be in front of a packed Inland Empire crowd but will also be full of college coaches seeking to fill future recruiting classes. If Turner has another standout game like he had against King with a season-high 12 tackles, expect his college interest to start skyrocketing.

Photo credit: Mark Gibbs; No. 12 Randell Turner, team captain for Norco.

Photo credit: Mark Gibbs; No. 12 Randell Turner gets a big hit on a running back.

Photo credit: Mark Gibbs; No. 12 Randell Turner puts pressure on a quarterback.