Freshman receiver will get a shot this fall

For most who saw him play last fall, the 3-star (5.5) ranking by Rivals.com doesn't tell the entire story for Springfield (Ill.) Sacred Heat-Griffin wide receiver Malik Turner.

Turner, an Illini signee, struggled through an injury plagued junior season in 2012- the injury impacted his initial ranking (2-star) giving him some ground to make up. A commitment to Illinois in June 2013 kept many scouts and recruiters away. Then he got healthy. Turner helped to lead SHG to a state title and earned All-State honors following his senior campaign.

When he steps onto the turf in Rantoul for camp late this summer, Turner - like another true freshman Mike Dudek this spring - he will look to make an impact for the Illini offense. Always modest, Turner won't make any predictions, but his play-making ability will guarantee he gets his shot.

"I just know I'm going to come in and go to practice and do my best," Turner said. "Whatever happens there, if I do well, I hope I get minutes. But I'm not really worried about that."

Production on the field as a senior (69 receptions for 1,378 yards and 22 touchdowns) seemed to suggest that Turner was working on his fourth star from Rivals. When the final rankings came out it wasn't to be, but that didn't seem to deter offensive coordinator Bill Cubit on National Signing Day.

"I never get caught up in that - I could care less about those stars," Cubit said. "I've seen 2-star guys be great players. The guys I put in the NFL from Western Michigan, not one of those guys was a 3-star."

If you're looking for the most underrated player in the class, look no further than Turner. And the Illini staff would agree. Recruiting coordinator Alex Golesh:

"When Malik Turner gets here, ask him how many schools came in and offered him and you would be shocked. Malik is going to be a special player."

Orange and Blue News caught up with Turner at his own school last Friday night, as the Illini took their show on the road and conducted a spring practice and scrimmage at SHG. Dressed in Illini gear, Turner patrolled the sidelines and spent some time chatting with his future coaches.

"It's cool to see them out here," Turner said. "I'm going to see what I'm going to be doing in a couple of months - witness the atmosphere a little more and watch them perform."

Turner was curious to watch the Illinois receiving corps go through their paces under position coach Mike Bellamy.

"Just the things that they do on a day-to-day basis - drills, techniques, and certain routes that they run," he said. "I know some them, but I'm not real close to them yet."

Illinois will need the new wide receivers to be good; early indications are that it will be a strong group. In addition to Turner and Dudek, the Illini bring in highly ranked junior college prospects Geronimo Allison and Tyrin Stone-Davis.

Some early enrollees and mid-year junior college transfers are already on campus. The remainder of the 2014 recruiting class will report in June. In the meantime, Turner is putting in work in the weight room and preparing himself to compete for PT.

"I have this off-season book that I follow every day during workouts," Turner said. "They can't really give me too much until I'm on campus. I get there in June, and I can't wait."

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