Lakewood Ranch’s Jay Turner is young man that simply enjoys the game of football. A game that’s likely going to provide him an opportunity to continue that dream at the next level, but for now–he’s got his junior and senior seasons to bust his butt on the field–and in the classroom–to ensure that dream becomes a reality. The 5-foot-7, 175-pound ATH plays CB and RB for the Mustangs and joined us for a conversation about his experience thus far, his goals for the offseason and even gave us glimpse into his life away from the field. Here now that conversation with the Mustangs playmaker, Mr. Jay Turner.
BCP: The sting of not meeting expectations if you’re member of a team sport is softened a bit when you’ve got time left to correct the things you missed. With that in mind, have you started your offseason?
JT: “Yes, sir. We’ve been focusing on all the fundamentals so far this offseason–working on footwork and technique.”
BCP: It looked like you were having a blast at Ignite, real quickly–what were your thoughts?
JT: “It was my first one ever going to and I felt pretty good.”
BCP: You play in a county that’s produced some serious talent throughout the years–but that label belongs to Manatee and Southeast High Schools. Now that attention is starting to spread around with some of the talent that’s making its way through your school and your rivals’ school across the interstate. What’s it like to be a part of another huge rivalry in that county, now?
JT: “It’s been a great experience to play in Manatee County–in a county that’s got the tradition like it has. It’s unreal how intense it (Braden River vs. Lakewood Ranch) gets on the field. There’s thousands of people that come to see that game. They’re basically our neighbors.”
BCP: It’s obvious that none of us get to choose our frame–we work with the one we’ve been blessed to receive, so with that in mind, who are some of the guys you’ve looked up to since you’ve been playing?
JT: “I’ve always looked up to guys like, Tyrann Mathieu, LaDainian Tomlinson, Vernon Hargreaves III–I’m an athlete so I can play both sides of the ball–I guess you could say that I’m playing the position I’ve always wanted to play.”
BCP: What about your free time?
JT: “I like to be with my family and my friends when I’m not playing football and getting to see the family I don’t get to see very often. As of right now, I’m not doing any other sports or hobbies, but I’m definitely thinking about running track.”
BCP: What event do you want to run if you go out for track?
JT: “The 100 meters.”
BCP: Oh, so you want to be THE MAIN EVENT no matter what, huh?
JT: [laughing] “Yes, sir.”
BCP: You don’t choose when to be a leader, the moment chooses you and you react. So what was it like to come off the field in your final game this season–knowing you didn’t hit your goals as a team, but knowing you’ve got time?
JT: “I was a little hurt–I felt like there was no way we should have had a record that bad this season. I have to step up and by leader–even if I’m one of the younger guys on the roster. I have to lead by example and set the tone for the team.”
BCP: Leading happens in the classroom as well, so what are those grades looking like?
JT: “The grades are good–I’ve got one class that’s giving me some issues, but I’m getting the help I need and going to get that where it needs to be.”
BCP: What’s the subject–if you don’t mind us asking?
JT: “Geometry”
BCP: Welp. Not exactly our best subject either. Do you have a favorite class otherwise?
JT: “The crazy thing is–math is my favorite subject. I’m more of a numbers guy, I love solving equations and stuff like that–it’s just that those shapes get me every time. I got into math because my parents are pretty good at math. I like science a lot too, though.”
BCP: What else are we supposed to know about Jay Turner that we need to know?
JT:”I like going to Chuck E. Cheese. I’ve been going there since I was a little kid. I’ve also had some funny moments on the football field as well. I try to let my playing do the talking–even if it’s against my brother. He plays at Sarasota High and is going to graduate in 2017. That was a very good experience getting to play against him. We fought a little bit on special teams against each other.”
BCP: You’ve got to tell people about you in 10 seconds or less–what do you tell them?
JT: “I just want people to know I love playing football, and I’m a hard worker on-and-off the field.”