Newly-Offered WR Tabs Florida as Early Leader in Recruitment
Photo: Jabbar Juluke; Credit: Alex Shepherd
As the Gators look to equip their 2024 commitment class with capable pass catchers for quarterback DJ Lagway, offers continue to fly out of Florida’s pockets.
Despite several interested candidates already in the fold, that isn’t stopping the program from widening its net this spring to ensure quality athletes line the boundary and slot positions when their franchise signal caller takes over the reins.
New Orleans (La.) John Curtis athlete prospect Michael Turner Jr. became the newest addition to that endeavor on Tuesday afternoon, receiving the unexpected offer from a duo of Florida assistants.
He shed some light on the offer Tuesday evening.
“It was really surprising,” Turner shared with All Gators. “I really never thought that something like this would really happen.
'It’s crazy because me and my mom were talking at the table one day about how we were going to take a trip to Florida, right? My mom was like ‘I wouldn’t mind moving to Florida at all.’ Then, today, I just got an offer from Florida.”
As a result, the Gators immediately skyrocketed in his rankings of prospective colleges upon the call. He tabbed Florida as the new leader in the clubhouse for his services at this time.
“I’m not gonna lie, from today I’m going to say they are No. 1,” he said. “Just because I already vibe with them like crazy.”
While Turner has flown under the radar for top college football programs to this point, the Gator's unexpected entry into his process makes sense considering the New Orleans area he hails from.
Florida has consistently targeted talent in the region since the former Louisiana-Lafayette staff took over in Gainesville last December. Turner, specifically, resides in a hot spot for running backs coach Jabbar Juluke, who lived in the area himself for many years.
Juluke’s connections and familiarity within the city likely opened the door for him to help pinpoint Turner as a potential candidate to fill a wide receiver role this cycle.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound wideout takes comfort in the staff’s footprint in the region.
“They came to the right place to find the right athlete,” he said. “They could’ve went anywhere else to find an athlete but they came over here and found me.”
Juluke — who made sure to inform the recruit of his history in Louisiana — was joined by wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales in extending Turner his offer.
The call was introductory as Gonzales took the opportunity to learn more about Turner’s life beyond football, but it was one that set a firm foundation for their future growth.
As someone who’s still relatively new to the Power Five attention, Turner shared that he didn’t have an answer for Gonzales when he asked about his recruitment timeline. Instead, he intends to take his process slow as new suitors consistently join the fray.
“For the commitment, I really never thought of that but probably like end of my senior year,” he said.
However, Turner said he’s beginning to take visits, with a Saturday trip to LSU followed by a trek to Nebraska — the team he says is recruiting him hardest — next weekend on the slate.
The Gators will receive a visit soon, although he doesn’t have anything planned given the newly acquired offer.
“Florida, I’ll have to make one soon," Turned stated. "I got to go out there.”
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