Michigan Football Signee Bio: Running Back Christian Turner
Buford (Ga.) High three-star running back Christian Turner is officially a part of the Michigan football program.
Measurables
• Attended Nike's Opening regional camp in Atlanta on March 26, 2017, and leapt 37.7 inches in the vertical jump, but did not record any other measurables.
Statistics
• Saw his senior season limited to just seven games due to a leg injury, but he still managed 801 rushing yards and eight scores on 115 carries (7.0 yards per carry), and one 30-yard touchdown reception.
• Racked up 1,115 yards and 18 scores on 135 carries (8.3 yards per carry) on the ground as a junior.
• Carried the ball 82 for 789 yards (9.6 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns as a sophomore.
Honors
• Was tabbed to Georgia's All-Region 8-AAAAA team, which is voted on by the league's coaches, following his senior season.
• Named to Gwinnett Prep Sport's Daily Post All-County team as an all-purpose athlete prior to the 2017 season.
• Invited to play for the National USA 19U football team in the International Bowl at AT&T Stadium in January 2018.
All-Star Games And Camps
• Attended Nike's The Opening finals in Beaverton, Ore., in June of 2017.
• Took part in the Nike Opening regionals in Atlanta in 2017.
• Participated at the 2017 Under Armor camp in Atlanta.
Recruitment
• Committed to Michigan on April 10, 2017.
• Chose the Wolverines over Notre Dame.
• Special teams/linebackers coach Chris Partridge and offensive coordinator Tim Drevno headed his recruitment.
• Held offers from several of the nation's powerhouses, including the aforementioned U-M and Notre Dame, along with Florida and Miami (Fla.).
Notable
• Born on Nov. 22, 1999.
• Led his team to a 13-2 record and an appearance in the state championship as a junior.
• His father, Ulysses Turner, played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2018 Projection
When Michigan gets ready to trot out onto the field in 2018, there will still be some pretty solid running back depth on the roster. Chris Evans will be entering his junior year, Karan Higdon will be a senior and Kareem Walker will be just a redshirt sophomore. O'maury Samuels, meanwhile, will be a sophomore, and Kurt Taylor will be a redshirt freshman.
Turner is a talented back, but likely won't be needed as a freshman in 2018. He may well come in with some ability, but odds are that he'll be redshirted as a rookie. He'll likely focus on gaining weight and learning the ins and outs of being a Michigan football player before being called upon.
They Said It
Carrollton head coach Sean Calhoun, whose squad fell to Buford High, 34-27, in 2016: “I would say he’s more of a power guy. When you think of a speed guy, you think of a smaller back. I think he’s power, and I'd say he fits Michigan’s system well because it’s what he’s done the previous three years — he’s been in a downhill attack with big run sets. I think him choosing Michigan shows his intelligence, because he’s going to an offense that fits what he does. U-M is always going to have a power mindset and big offensive linemen, so he’s going to be able to run the football there.
“I could see him being an all-conference player, but it obviously depends on whether or not he’s an every-down back there. Heck, if he continues to improve, he can be an All-American.”
Rivals.com Georgia analyst Chad Simmons: "When I describe Turner to others on message boards, radio or just in passing, I call him a slasher. He has good — not elite — speed, but is quick, has a good burst up the field and runs with patience. He plays for one of the top high school programs in America in Buford, so he will come out of there ready to compete in Ann Arbor.
"Turner still needs to add weight and run with more authority. He flashes the ability to break tackles, but the consistency between the tackles is not there yet."
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