21 Jaxen Turner
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:17 am
Turner is a 6-0, 190, Freshman defensive back from Rancho Verde HS, Perris, CA. Tremendous multi-sport athlete who also ran track and was an All-CIF basketball selection. Turner was first team All-CIF and Cal Hi Sports in football and had 158 tackles and 17 interceptions in his career with 3 interceptions returned for TDs. He did that while also working as a receiver, running back, and QB on offense.
Here are some key points from AZ Desert Swarm's analysis:
Brandon Combs: Turner is as athletic as they come. He makes some pretty incredible plays on the ball defensively and just makes defenses look silly on the other side of the ball. Heck, watching his film makes me tired. He is a dual-sport athlete for RVHS, also playing basketball. Those skills undoubtedly assist him on the gridiron.
I know Gabe will agree with me, this is a major pickup for the ‘Cats. Turner was a major priority for them and they were able to land him. He is one of the best safeties in the West and is probably ranked lower than he should be.
I believe Turner will be able to make an immediate impact. He is too good and too athletic to keep off the field.
Gabe Encinas: Arizona had missed out multiple safety targets earlier in the cycle and it was discouraging to see. However, among the four or five that they had pursued, Turner had always been my favorite.
I think Turner is one of the best defensive prospects that Arizona has offered, and this is a really good addition the class. Extremely long, athletic and hard hitting, I think he could play multiple spots on defense in the future as well.
Having to pick a favorite commit of this class between Grant Gunnell, Kwabena Watson, and Turner is tough. But personally, I have always leaned towards safeties over the last few years with Paul Magloire, Tristan Cooper, Scottie Young Jr. and Christian Young being my favorite commits of the last four classes.
While the need at quarterback and edge are far greater than safety, I just can’t help but get the same excitement for Turner as I did with the safeties of the previous classes.
57 was Cedric Peterson's longest catch last year.
