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Oglethorpe County’s Jake Turner gains a portion of his 1,318 yards rushing this season on this carry in the victory over Athens Christian. Turner is pursuing scholarship offers to play football in college. (Lauren Hill/ The Oglethorpe Echo)
Oglethorpe County's Jake Turner finished his football career on a high note.
The senior rushed for 1,318 yards and 20 touchdowns to set a school single-season rushing record that surpassed the 1,309 yards he had last year.
He’s now turned his attention to the future.
“College football is definitely on the table,” Turner said. “I’m not 100% locked in that I am going to play college football because I also take academics very seriously. I could possibly go to UGA, and depending where I get accepted and what happens in the future, I have to make that decision.”
Turner has put feelers out on social media and has shown interest in playing at the next level. He said he’s been in communication with Division II and III schools, and has spoken with Shorter head coach Zach Morrison.
Turner holds one official offer from Andrew College, a two-year private school in Cuthbert, Georgia.
While Turner said he’s interested in playing at the next level, getting a degree close to home would be just as valuable. He said studying either business or engineering would be ideal, as he felt that he’d enjoy or be good at either.
However, Turner hasn’t ruled out a best-of-both-worlds opportunity. While not a sure thing by any means, he has worked with his coaches to possibly earn a shot as a preferred walk-on at Georgia.
“I’ve been trying really hard to actually get a preferred walk-on spot at UGA,” Turner said. “The trainer here at Oglethorpe has a couple connections at UGA and I've been sending emails, and coach (Mike) Holland has been sending emails to them. I’m really hoping maybe something will surface from that. We kind of have our fingers crossed that maybe something will come from that, but I’m not sure yet.”
Turner said he prefers running back and would play the position if he accepted an offer at a smaller school. He added that, if given a chance by Georgia, he’d gladly switch to linebacker, which he played his junior season.
“I’d play whatever position they wanted me to, hands down,” Turner said. “With the walk-ons, a lot of times you have to be flexible. You can’t really pick and choose where you want to play. You’re getting recruited to be what they want you to be, so I’d honestly do whatever it takes to be there.”
Turner is grateful for his time with Oglethorpe County football.
“Football is a special thing, and until it’s over, you don’t really know how much you take it for granted,” he said. “I loved all four years I played and I’ll miss those times I got to spend with my friends and coaches.”