Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arkansas LB Kaiden Turner Gets After It on the Field
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If there was a “Release the Kraken” call known worldwide, it might be fitting to play when Kaiden Turner steps onto the field or after he has ripped apart a ball carrier. Playing inside backer for Fayetteville High School, Turner gets after it old school style bringing the pain to the party, and does it in a hurry. The 6-1, 218-pound, ballhawk put an end to 87 plays a year ago with 9.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, nine QB hurries, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. His efforts with the Bulldogs against 7A Arkansas competition has brought three-star recruiting status and three offers his way. Programs will get to see even more of the Class of 2022 athlete with turns coming out of the backfield this season.
In an RNG first-look, Turner took a break from preparing for the Bulldogs upcoming scrimmage against Greenwood to talk shop.
Interview
Kaiden, your attack speed is something different. Once that instinct kicks in to go get the quarterback or running back when they are in your area, it is like watching an apex predator in the wild going after a meal. Those attack skills are backed by motivation, when you take the field for a game what motivates you to play at such a high level?
I want to prove everyone wrong, and anyone who said that I am not good. I want to make my family proud and make sure everyone knows who I am playing for, Jesus Christ. The goal is to make my family proud and play for Jesus.
What defensive scheme were the Bulldogs running last season?
Last year we started in a 4-3 but switched to a 3-4 halfway through.
Within the scheme you were lining up on the inside, what were your responsibilities as an inside backer?
Mainly as a run filler. I did not have a ton of pass responsibilities, filling run mainly.
Once the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game?
My speed for sure. Every coach says they love my speed one of my best attributes.
What will be the 2020 defensive scheme for the Bulldogs?
We are in a 3-4 now. Last year we had the best defensive line in the state, this year we will not be as good but we still have studs up there.
Where will we see you on the field in 2020?
This year they will move me around so I can make more plays and so the opposing team cannot scheme for me. Our head coach, might let me play at running back also.
Are you excited about the chance to play running back this season?
Oh yeah, I love running people over.
Spoken like a true linebacker. Since the season ended what have you been working on with the small details of your game?
This offseason I have been working with my hands, working to get off blocks better, especially if I have to blitz. I’ve been working on my swim move more and my rip.
How have you worked over the spring and summer months to add more strength, speed, and power to your talents?
I workout with a guy in Bentonville. We do ladders and a speed treadmill on inclines and at different speeds. We go kind of heavy with our lifting but stop at 225 on bench reps. I work on more explosive training instead of heavy. They idea is to go super-fast, get it down and shoot it up. I am also doing a lot of cleans.
Your speed, how fast are you? What is your best timed 40-yard dash?
My best 40 was a hand-timed 4.51.
Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?
Only on squat, I maxed out at 455, but I have not maxed on bench or clean.
How is fall camp going for you and the Bulldogs?
It is going pretty good. We were pushed back a little bit, but we look really good. The defense is flying around playing with a lot of energy.
For you, where are you seeing the personal improvements in your skills after all the hard work put into it this spring and summer?
Playing as a sophomore last year helped me with quick reads, my reads are super-fast now. My physicality and speed have improved. I gained weight but got faster.
The first game on the schedule is Aug. 28 against Conway, what kind of game are you guys expecting from the Wampus Cats?
We have not looked a ton into their game yet, we have a scrimmage against Greenwood first. Conway has a good shifty running back. We have to keep him in the box, if we do we should be good. We cannot let him bounce anything.
During the Greenwood scrimmage, is there anything you want to work on or a goal you want to accomplish before the games start counting?
I am not sure how much I will play, they are trying to look at different athletes and see how everyone plays together. The goal is to rack up as many tackles as I can, get in the backfield off a blitz, and know where I am at and what I need to work on.
Let’s close talking about recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
It is tough for schools to show me interest, they have to reach out through my head coach. But he has talked to Missouri, Baylor, and I talk to Nebraska every week. Vanderbilt and Memphis are showing a lot of interest.
How many offers have been given to you?
Three: Arkansas, Indiana, and Kansas.
Have you taken any virtual visits?
I did take one to Indiana. I was on Facetime with them, they showed me around.
Nice. When the real thing can happen again, do you have any planned visits you’d like to take?
I would like to visit Indiana, Kansas, obviously I am interested in Arkansas but I have kind of visited every Arkansas every day of my entire life. But I would like to see their facilities.
Kaiden, it was great covering ground with you today on your skills, offseason workouts, and recruiting. Wishing you and the team best of luck this season until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Turner family; Kaiden Turner