Turner get his wish: Oregon
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Charles Rich
Jason Turner had to wait two years, but he’s not complaining.
Turner, one of the area’s top football players over the past
decade and the 2002 All-Area Player of the Year, committed Thursday
to play football at Oregon next season. The bruising fullback/inside
linebacker chose Oregon over North Carolina State, Hawaii and
Washington State.
Turner, who played at New Mexico in 2003 before transferring to
West Los Angeles College in 2004, said he originally wanted to play
at Oregon following his tenure at St. Francis.
“Oregon has got unbelievable facilities,” said Turner, a La
Crescenta resident. “There are going to be a lot of opportunities at
Oregon to be a linebacker, and definitely a shot for me to start.
“North Carolina State and Hawaii could have offered me playing
time, but being able to play in the Pac-10 and being closer to home
were the two biggest factors.”
Turner redshirted at New Mexico, but chose to resurrect his career
at West L.A. College. Turner enjoyed a breakout campaign, recording
140 tackles and earning a spot on All-Western State Conference team.
Turner caught the attention of Oregon linebacker Coach Don Pellum,
who was one of Oregon’s top linebackers in the 1980s. Pellum sold
Turner on Oregon, which finished 5-6 and 4-4 in conference last
season under Coach Mike Bellotti.
“Coach [Pellum] watched me at West L.A. and said I was always
making plays,” said Turner, who was a three-time All-Area selection
and All-CIF Division III honoree. “He told me I could be an impact
player at Oregon.”
Turner’s best season came in 2002, when he recorded 122 tackles,
six sacks, four pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced
fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 11 games for St. Francis.
Oregon will look to get back on track and play in a bowl game for
the first time since 2003. The Ducks dropped a 31-20 decision to Minnesota at the Sun Bowl in El Paso.
* CHARLES RICH covers sports. He can be reached at (818) 637-3228
or by e-mail at charles.rich@latimes.com.