Cowboys May Be On to Something Really Interesting with Pierce Turner
STILLWATER – We usually don’t blow out stories on players that get a preferred walk-on opportunity, but Pierce Turner at Austin Westlake High School may be different, maybe very different. The 6-4, 195-pound Turner finished this season with 39 receptions for 624-yards and five touchdowns for the Chaparrals, who finished 16-0 and won another state championship. They were 14-0 in 2020 (COVID) season and won a state championship. Turner has played the “X” wide in the formation. His quarterback (Clemson signee) Cade Klubnik would count on Turner’s ball skills and loft him the ball with Turner showing excellent ball tracking ability hauling in those passes.
“I’ve been playing X, but I feel I can fit in wherever I’m needed,” Turner told me by phone Wednesday afternoon. “I’m excited about that possibility of moving to more of a tight end or H-back player.”
He should be. Watching two full games of Turner and some of his highlights as well, I liked what I saw. He has excellent ball skills, good hands, runs good routes, and like I said his ball tracking ability is really good. As a blocker he is aggressive and does a good job. It will be a difference lining up as an in-line tight end or as an H-back as he will see much bigger defenders and will need to work out different leverage and technique. His long arms will still come in handy, but he will be dealing with much bigger, stronger players.
There is no doubt he can put the weight on his frame. He is eager to find himself a college home.
“I definitely think Oklahoma State is a great program and an awesome school,” Turner said of his offer from the Cowboys to walk on. They play great football and you can get a great education.”
Turner has the same opportunity at Texas A&M and TCU. Oregon State is interested and Fordham and University of San Diego have offered as well. Those could be financial aid situations.
“I’m interested in studying business,” Turner told us. “I want to be somewhere that I’m wanted and gives me the best opportunity to play football.”
Watching Turner, I saw some former Oklahoma State Cowboy and current Dallas Cowboy Blake Jarwin in him. Turner, who showed all the skills that I mentioned on video also showed toughness. Several times after a short to intermediate reception he would lower his head and shoulder and bowl through a tackler.
“I like George Kittle and I think I can play that kind of position. I like the way he makes a catch and the first tackler never brings him down. I like his blocking, he is really good especially blocking the edge or open field.”
Turner didn’t hint when he would decide, but he did confirm that his 37-inch long jump on his Hudl profile is accurate. He also bench presses 225-pounds and squats 355-pounds. His forty time is a 4.66 and that is plenty good enough.
The Cowboy back for Oklahoma State has been looking for bigger guys and putting them there. This season in a pinch we saw Blaine Green (6-1, 215) put in that position, a big wide receiver plugged inside. That might be the answer to more production out of the Cowboy back. With Turner 6-4 grows to 235-240 pounds and look out.