Jake Turner understood early that college football would demand a reset.
A productive running back at Oglethorpe County High School, Turner graduated after piling up 1,318 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in 2023.
At Berry College, he quickly learned those numbers wouldn’t guarantee opportunity.
Turner has found a role by embracing unsung jobs.
He finished his sophomore season with 237 rushing yards on 24 carries and one touchdown as Berry advanced to the Division III playoff quarterfinals, the deepest postseason run in program history. The Vikings went 11-2 and won the Southern Athletic Association Conference.
“Everybody there is some of the best players from high school,” Turner said. “It emphasizes the attention to detail and the amount of work you have to put in.”
Turner’s season didn’t begin smoothly, though.
He missed the first three games after suffering a sprained AC joint in a preseason scrimmage. He returned to a crowded backfield.
Turner played behind two senior running backs in an offense that relied heavily on a quarterback-run game. Still, he found his way onto the field.
“He was, a lot of times, our third-down back,” Berry coach Tony Kunczewski said. “He can protect the passer, he can lead block and he understands what we’re trying to do.”
Listed at 6-feet-2, 203 pounds, Turner quickly earned trust in pass protection and short-yardage situations. Kunczewski said that development made him valuable even when carries were limited.
“That’s a huge part of the game that doesn’t always show up in stats,” Kunczewski said.
Turner’s most visible impact came shortly after his return.
He had six carries for 120 yards and a touchdown in a 54-14 victory over Rhodes on Oct. 4, providing a spark after weeks on the sideline.
“That was super encouraging for me, just coming back off injury and getting to perform like that,” Turner said. “I was asked to carry the ball more than I had previously.”
His willingness to accept a supporting role doesn’t surprise OCHS coach Michael Holland.
“Jake always had tremendous character,” Holland said. “A lot of guys struggle with starting over from the bottom, but Jake went in with humility and a growth mindset.”
Turner was the workhorse of Holland’s offense in both 2022 and ’23, rushing for a combined 2,627 yards those seasons. He set the school’s single-season rushing total with his performance as a senior.
“He was one of the toughest and most coachable kids I’ve had in 19 years,” Holland said. “I trusted him completely.”
Turner said his background at a smaller program helped shape his approach at Berry.
“Working hard was necessary to succeed,” he said. “And relying on the people who got you to where you are has always been important to me.”
That mindset has carried beyond the field.
Kunczewski said Turner’s influence is felt in the locker room and in team settings, where he leads quietly and consistently.
“He leads by example,” Kunczewski said. “He’s a guy others look up to.”
With two senior running backs gone, Turner is expected to take on a larger role as Berry prepares for next year. Kunczewski said Turner will remain a key piece in short-yardage situations while expanding his presence on early downs.
For Turner, the focus remains unchanged.
“There’s really no excuse for not working hard and giving it everything you’ve got,” he said.