Hawaii football's Calvin Turner Jr. named preseason all-conference
Jul. 23—LAS VEGAS — University of Hawaii football player Calvin Turner Jr. has dazzled with moves that accounted for 133.3 all-purpose yards per game and 11 touchdowns in 2020.
But Turner also has impressed with a move he will make in the near future and one he did not make in the recent past.
On Thursday, 25 media members selected Turner to the Mountain West Conference's preseason all-conference team as a punt returner. Turner and Cortez Davis, who also made the preseason list, are representing the Rainbow Warriors at the Mountain West Football Media Days.
"It's crazy, to me, to think they put me at something I haven't played yet, " said Turner, who will add that job to his duties as running back, receiver, wildcat quarterback and kickoff returner.
A more impactful decision came in December, when Turner opted to remain at UH for a "super senior " season. Because of the pandemic, the NCAA granted football players an extra season. Turner was projected to be selected as high as the fifth round if he had applied for the 2021 NFL Draft.
"Probably the biggest thing that made me stay was a lot of the feedback I got from (NFL ) teams, and knowing I can come back and boost my stock and win a championship and also graduate from college, " Turner said.
Turner is on track to earn a bachelor's degree in December.
Turner's journey began in Savannah, Ga., where his parents instilled a strong work ethic. "My dad said, 'Hard work beats everything, '" Turner recalled. "Anything you want in life, you have to work hard for."
Turner attended Jacksonville, an FCS school that did not offer football scholarships. Turner, who played quarterback, used an academic scholarship, financial aid and student loans to cover his tuition and other school expenses. Then on Thanksgiving weekend in 2019, the school decided to end its football program.
"I was distraught, " Turner said. "I didn't know where my football career was going to go. It was a crazy time. I ended up entering my name in the transfer portal."
And then Turner received a call from an 808 area code. "That probably was the best thing that happened to me, " Turner said.
Turner signed a scholarship agreement with the Warriors. In January 2020, there was a coaching change, with Todd Graham succeeding Nick Rolovich as head coach. Then the pandemic hit.
Turner joined the Warriors with the intent of playing slotback. Graham crafted plans to maximize Turner's speed, cutting ability and magnetic attraction to the end zone. Of his quick cuts, Turner offered, "It's a God-given ability, " Turner said. "I can't explain it. It's all from God."
Graham said he expects Turner to excel on punt returns. Turner aligned there in a game against Boise State, but the punt was booted to the other UH returner.
Turner has adapted to the island lifestyle. He listens to local music, enjoyed a Hawaiian plate lunch with quarterback Chevan Cordeiro's family, and learned the change-lane signal.
"All the coaches and players told me to make sure I threw the shaka in every picture, " Turner said. "I learned that from day one when I stepped on the island. I also know 'chee hu.' I hear that a lot—in practices, in games. That's another thing I learned fast."—For more Hawaii football, visit the.
