Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arkansas LB Kaiden Turner Gives Insight to Indiana Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The Indiana Hoosiers made a big splash on the recruiting trail on Monday landing Fayetteville High School linebacker Kaiden Turner. The three-star recruit, who plays more like a four-star, is one of the Natural State’s top prospects in the 2022 class landing 15 total offers before his commitment. When Turner (6-1, 218) committed to IU, he became the building block of the class as the first 2022 recruit heading to Bloomington.
In an RNG exclusive, Turner goes into detail on how Indiana won him over in the recruiting process.
*Click link for Nov. 2020 RNG interview with Kaiden Turner
Interview
Kaiden, congratulations on your commitment to Indiana.
Thank you.
Let’s put some background to your recruiting process leading up to your commitment. How many offers were extended to you?
I had 15 offers.
When you were going through the process of narrowing down the different programs to a handful of top schools, what was your criteria?
Making sure that my mom and dad had a good relationship with the coaches and were cool with me leaving the area, wherever I may go. Another was the linebacker room; what will it look like when I get there. I wanted to see my opportunities to get on the field early. One of my goals is to get on the field early.
Indiana was one of the first schools to offer you, what was the recruiting process like between you and the Hoosiers’ coaching staff?
Yes, they were the first school to offer me. They offered in May of 2020. That was an awesome feeling. That first offer means a lot, that they believe in you first before anyone else and not because of all the other offers you have. They wanted you for you.
How did that bond and relationship grow between you and the IU coaches?
It was awesome. Their defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack, left for the South Alabama head coaching position. One of my questions was what will I think of their new defensive coordinator? Turns out, Coach (Charlton) Warren is amazing. Their head coach, Coach (Tom) Allen is amazing. My parents loved him from the start. It was a done deal from there.
How do they see you fitting into their defensive scheme?
They said they want me to like Micah McFadden. They want me to fill his shoes playing the inside linebacker position.
What did they say they liked about your skills as a linebacker?
They love my speed, a lot. They like the way I come downhill, finish tackles, and how physical I am on the field.
At what point did the scales start leaning in Indiana’s favor to earn your commitment?
The very first time Coach Allen and I got on the phone. It was a Facetime meeting with him and with my parents. He spoke about what he believes Indiana football should be built on and his vision for the program. When my parents and I got off the call, they said “we love that guy.” I knew then that is where I wanted to be.
When did you verbally commit to the staff and which coach received the good news first?
I had a virtual tour set up a week ago on Monday, March 1. I knew Coach Allen and Coach Warren would be on there. Before the tour, I told my parents that I am ready to commit. I surprised the coaches; they had no idea I was committing. It was a really cool experience.
The time before you committed, before making the call and while waiting for the right moment, what all was going through your mind?
Nothing really. I was super confident in my decision. I had been praying about it for a long time. God put me where I am supposed to be, and I am never going to question God. I knew that is where I am supposed to be.
Now that you have achieved this great milestone in your football career, how do you feel?
I feel amazing. Now I can focus on being the best player I can be. I can focus on my team, my teammates, and my family not having to worry about recruiting. It is an amazing feeling. It is big time.
Have you done anything to celebrate this moment or are you going to coming up?
I don’t think so. We celebrated at the house after I committed, talking as a family and spending time together.
That’s great. That’s what matters. Kaiden, I appreciate your time and insight today. Wishing you success with your offseason workouts.
Thank you.
Kaiden Turner Stat Sheet
Height and Weight: 6-1, 218
Positions: Inside Linebacker and Running Back
School: Fayetteville High School – 7A West
2020 Stats: 69 tackles, 34 solo, 12 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 3 interceptions, 1 pass defended, 3 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble
Offense: 13 carries for 34 yards with three touchdowns
2019 Stats: 87 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks 9 QB hurries, 2 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 recovered fumble
Offer Sheet (15): Arkansas, Arkansas State, California, Coastal Carolina, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Louisville, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest, and Washington State
Photo credit: Turner family; Kaiden Turner
Well, technically, he didn’t have an Arkansas offer in the end. That was pulled when the Hogs hired a new LB coach. They are after much better prospects with some size.
Kaiden can play, and could certainly play for Arkansas if that was the path forward for both him and the program. If they pulled his offer, that is their mistake. And technically, an offer is an offer; he was offered, even if, as you say, it was pulled.