Turner ready to make case at NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis

Terrance Turner has worked his whole life to get to this weekend.

But a late start on the 40-yard dash, a cramp in the 225-pound bench press or a slip on the three-cone drill could hurt Turner’s dream of playing in the NFL.

The former IU receiver will be competing at the NFL Draft Combine this weekend in Indianapolis, along with 45 other college wideouts all hoping to boost their draft stock.

“It’s fun because this is for real and it’s like a big job interview for the future,” Turner said. “It gets a little hectic at times, and it’s physically and mentally draining, but it’s
definitely fun.”

Since leading the Hoosiers to a 34-31 overtime win against archrival Purdue in the season finale, Turner’s life has revolved around training for the NFL. The Auburn Hills, Mich., native has been working with trainer Mike Gough of Athletic Edge Sports to prepare himself for the combine.

Gough said Turner has a work ethic that is hard to instill in everyone who walks through his door.

“I wish everyone put in the effort that he did,” Gough said. “He’s a bit of a perfectionist and has strived for perfection in the different aspects of the combine.”

Turner often played third fiddle alongside former IU receiver Tandon Doss, who will also be performing at the combine, and IU junior Damarlo Belcher. But instead of having his teammates to rely on if he can’t get open, Turner will determine his own success this weekend.

It’s a role Turner said he relishes.

“It’s a lot, but I like that feeling, being in position to show what you have and prove yourself,” Turner said. “I look at it as a big opportunity to show what I have. I don’t want to hide anything.”

What the charismatic receiver has is a knack for catching balls over the middle, which was demonstrated this past season. Turner hauled in 67 passes for the Hoosiers, good for third in the Big Ten. The fifth-year senior fittingly tallied a collegiate-high 10 catches in his final game as a Hoosier to bring the Old Oaken Bucket back to
Bloomington.

Turner’s reputation as a possession receiver has permeated to the ones who will be scouting him this weekend.

According to the NFL Scout Combine official website, Turner “runs pretty good routes in the short passing game, shows natural hands and can make the first man miss.”
While Turner may be considered a reliable option in short yardage, he was criticized for his speed in the deep-passing game.

In response to his critics, Turner said his main focus has been improving his 40-yard dash time. Currently, Turner’s fastest listed time is 4.52 seconds, which he said he hopes to get down to 4.4 seconds at the combine.

If Turner cannot reach his desired 4.4, Gough said it will not be from a lack of effort.

“He brings his lunch pale and puts in a hard day’s work every day we’re training,” Gough said. “He works his butt off, he wants to succeed and he wants to have a long career in the NFL.”

For a player that scouts have projected as a “late-round prospect,” this weekend could propel or plummet Turner’s draft stock.

No more quick slants from IU quarterback Ben Chappell.

No more Bucket games.

No more two-a-days in the dog days of a Bloomington summer.

All of these experiences have helped Turner arrive at this point. The reality of this opportunity is something Turner said has been a long time coming.  

“It’s something that I’ve been thinking about since I was a child,” Turner said. “The fact that it’s here right now is kind of surreal.”