Justin Turner to Transfer
See? Grim.
That rumor metastasized quickly: Tim reports that Dave Ablauf has just read a statement that Justin Turner has asked for and received his release to transfer. I blame myself for suggesting that this offseason had been a relatively tranquil one when it came to things that mattered.
It sounds like the 11 pounds Turner put on in the offseason were not the good variety, and that he was never in a position where he was physically ready to play because of sheer lack of desire. Odd for that to happen with a corner—usually it's linemen battling to stay under 350 that wash out because they're not interested in keeping up with the work.
Impact on the team bit: losing Turner is a terrible blow to a secondary short on everything; beyond the starters at corner Michigan has three freshmen, one of them highly touted and the other two middling three-stars, and vagabond James Rogers. Corner's the worst spot on the team to suffer attrition. Turner was a near five-star coming out of high school who killed people at the Army game; his disappearance from Michigan without so much as playing a snap ranks up there with the most disappointing recruiting flameouts ever.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:18 PM ^
And the only way to turn the tide on all that is winning. But it is the best way
August 11th, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^
It seems like the sky is falling because next year, we'll have JT Floyd, Cullen Christian, James Rogers, Courtney Avery, smaller Talbott, along with 2-3 freshmen at cornerback.
August 12th, 2010 at 9:09 PM ^
Gimme a break get off turners dick the man has only been there for 1 year not 2 and a half n he is still considered a freshman goin into the year 3 more of eligibility MY BABY a few nice clips from H/S whats ur address i send u the whole highlight tape from his 3 years of grindin, then compare his highlight tape to yours n see the diff.
August 16th, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^
Who are you talking about? Turner has yet to be in the program a year. He arrived last year toward the end of fall practice so I am curious to find out where you get 2 1/2 years in the program from. I am also curious to figure out how people see this as a positive.
People are clinging to this whole "he hasn't even contributed yet so what are we losing" crap but the guy is a red shirt freshmen. My question would be what single shred of evidence do any of you have that people who redshirt in their freshmen year of college are doomed to never contribute their entire careers?
There have been posts saying he hasn't contributed so we aren't losing anything. This logic is insane. If people need to lie to themselves to make things feel better than fine, but there is no silver lining in this cloud. Losing Turner is a big blow, no two ways about it.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:55 PM ^
I'll wait to say how much this hurts until I find out if he's transferring to OSU.
Due to the tat situation, is he limited to schools that start with 'm'?
August 11th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
He could go to Mohio State, or Mouthern Cal, or Mlorida, or Meorgia, or Moklahoma, or Moise State, or Mitt, or Menn State...
August 11th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
looks like it's time for a 3 week coma
August 11th, 2010 at 2:01 PM ^
...to all players. Once you get here, your star rating doesn't matter. Your ability is secondary. You will have to outwork your teammates if you want to play.
Coach Rod and his staff have always said it. The fact that some of you choose not to believe them will lead to your lack of success. Playing time is earned, not given. So, Big Will, Tate, Cullen, whoever...work hard or play not. The choice is yours.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^
I am all in with that. Worked for Pete Carroll and worked for previous Michigan coach way back when, when guys bolted rather than work hard. I'll wait out the results of doing it their way. (competing)
August 12th, 2010 at 4:45 PM ^
heh.
get it?
August 11th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
I'm sure Jon Falk has already cleaned out Turner's locker! It just shows that recruiting rankings mean nothing until a player produces on the field.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^
I'm getting tired of this feeling in my gut every time something bad happens to us...it's happening too frequently. Why would a kid like this seemingly not want IT? Best of luck, but man we are screwed...RRod has got to be frustrated. As it has been said - this is the worst position it could have happened to...
August 11th, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^
...and get me the following three things?
1. intercom
2. beer
3. deployed emergency exit chute
That is all.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:16 PM ^
Well, the inmates at SpartanTailgate are having a great time with this one today. All of the sudden, the departure of a guy who has never seen the field in Michigan Stadium is gonna pave the way to a career day for Cousins.
I wonder if they realize they need an offensive line to protect their boy? Our secondary is in no danger if Cousins is picking his ass up off the turf every play.
Goddamit, come on October 9th.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:14 PM ^
They annoy me to no end. I think it is just easier for their fans to revel in the short term nothingness of what their program has done, then wait it out to see who is beating the tar out of whom after like year 5.
Every time I suggest to their fans to wait and see, they just can't bring themselves to it. Maybe deep down they know that over the long haul they'll never accomplish what Michigan has in football? So it is best for them not to enter any discussions that go beyond beating our shredded roster in 08 and last season's squeaker.
The biggest game of the year is October 9 in my opinion. If nothing else, it will calm things down and put them on the defensive with their smack for a while.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:24 PM ^
3 things:
One, if whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger then I think I can throw Barwis acoss a room about now.
Two, we need those of you who live in A2 to form a human shield around Cullen Christian to make sure nothing happens to him.
Three, looking forward can we use his scholarship towards the 2011 class? With all the guys we're after I'd like to crank the scholarships up from 17 to 18 now.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:09 PM ^
One thing that surprises me is that I figured the group ethic and mindset of this team had shifted to the point where peer pressure would have every guy showing up in elite shape. Maybe it has shifted, except for a few stragglers
If Justin was one of them, I wish him well, but he and his mega stars don't fit in here.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:23 PM ^
Isn't necessarily losing him this year, which is big. But how does this play into account with our APR, which we need to do extremely well on this upcoming year as to not get smacked with penalties. Being on probation already can't help keep APR penalties minimal if they come. This, unfortanetly, could be a huge long term problem if I'm thinking about APR correctly.
Sorry if I just made this more depressing...
August 11th, 2010 at 2:24 PM ^
gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
August 11th, 2010 at 2:28 PM ^
He was overweight in the spring. Obviously was one of those who didn't take these last four months seriously. If he can't take the harsh criticism from the coaches, whats makes you think he can handle a game at this level.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
Hee-Haw! "if it weren't fer bad luck we'd have no luck at all"
August 11th, 2010 at 2:54 PM ^
Turner isn't the first 4-5 star recruit to be a bust, but there's not much more room for error with the Michigan football team. So we now lose Dorsey and Turner. This certainly isn't good. I'm out of excuses. In fact there are no excuses. I'm still looking forward to Michigan football this year. I have been since the Bo and Woody days. But either RR gets it done this year or he's out. No more excuses.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:31 PM ^
Another is that the "excuses" you complain about are, in fact, the "reasons" why we should refrain from insisting that "RR gets it done this year or he's out." We "lost" Dorsey because he couldn't meet admissions standards. It appears (based on very little information, granted) that we "lost" Turner because he either wouldn't or couldn't make the commitment or show the results required to get on the field on a regular basis. Which of these situations would have worked out any differently under Bo? I would recommend some degree of caution and restrait before chalking up every single adverse development as an equal strike against Rodriguez -- howzabout we instead evaluate each one of these situations on its own individual merits? Nah, that's too complicated -- break out the ultimatum!
August 11th, 2010 at 7:04 PM ^
I think you are right and the gentleman you are responding to is also right. As you say, I don't believe you can cast a wide net with every bit of bad news and snare the coach by the neck. We have high standards where we hold the coach responsible, yes. But we also have an intelligent fan base that is capable at looking at the situation beyond the anti-Michigan fan forum hysteria. Great point.
But the previous poster is on the right track too. Rich does need to win this year and that means Michigan State, Notre Dame and one of the beast home games against Iowa or Wisconsin. That will get you 8 minimum. That is not a lot to ask in year three with Rich's pedigree and the way he is recruiting.
It is not an ultimatum, but it is a reasonable expectation that I am sure he holds this team too as well. And the reality is that winning those games might determine his job future. I can't say that either way for sure, but I can sense the direction of the wind. I want a year 4, but it isn't a given.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:36 AM ^
It will come during and after the season starts. Bad luck is bad luck. But I'm not going to dance around pretending everything is all right if we go through another bad season again. As far as I'm concerned Tate Forcier could transfer. Or Dee Hart and Zettel could sign somewhere else. But that still wouldn't justify another bad season. Ohio State I don't care about. But we can't be losing to both Notre Dame and MSU. I'm at the point where I'm just blocking out the bad news (investigation at both Michigan, West Virginia, Dorsey, Turner). But I'm cetainly not going to use these bad news events as an excuse if we have another bad season.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:14 PM ^
This has got to be a reflection of issues off the field. I'm thinking that those on the inside have an idea what is going on, but we're just seeing the symptoms of the problem. He had difficulty graduating high school. He came into Michiganl a step behind, and he's been behind ever since. Other players, even walk-ons are busting their humps to contribute and JT gave the team nothing. He was considered to be more talented than most of the other CBs but he never took advantage of taking over the position when the opportunity was given to him.
I am not saying he's not a good guy, because I don't know him, all I'm saying is, what we saw [or lack of it] is what we got...which is nothing. If he can't handle the pressure of big time college then maybe he should go and give the scholarship to someone else who wants and deserves it. NUFF SAID!!!
August 11th, 2010 at 3:21 PM ^
I'm still writing off the "had difficulty graduating high school" thing entirely.
This was a standardized test that nobody prepares you for, includes questions where the "correct" answer is actually wrong, and generally nobody should ever take seriously. The test is given to students to assess their teachers, not them. The NCAA Clearinghouse's decision to use it is wrong. I consider that whole fiasco a non-starter, and the conspiracist inside me says there was a little tiny bit of crimson foul play (his test scores were among the last group in the state to get them back).
August 12th, 2010 at 8:29 AM ^
Here is a reference regarding the OGT. You ultimately still maybe correct however, hopefully this will shed some light on the situation:
What happens to students who have met all of the curriculum requirements for graduation but do not pass the OGT before their intended date of graduation?
Students who have met all of the curriculum requirements for graduation but have not passed all required parts of the OGT before their intended date of graduation will not graduate with their classmates. School districts decide locally whether or not students may participate in graduation ceremonies.
Students may continue to take the OGT until they pass all required parts, which would then allow them to earn their diplomas. The first opportunity to take the test after their senior year would be in July during the summer administration of the OGT. Students should contact a school district well in advance of the test dates to learn of the requirements to sit for the test. Students who are eligible may test during any of the testing opportunities throughout the school year – March, July and October. Click here for test dates.
August 12th, 2010 at 8:34 PM ^
Yeah, those Harvard men don't like being referred to as Michigan of the east.
Or maybe you meant scarlet? :)
August 11th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
I agree 100% with what you said and seems as though he couldn't catch up once he got behind with clearing house issues, whether it was school or football. I wish all the best for him in the future. As others have said on this thread, everyone else had better shape up as it appears RR has more BO in him then others may have thought.
Work hard and you are rewarded even if this means you are just a walk on (although I must admit this scares me a bit, ok more then just a little bit)
August 11th, 2010 at 3:15 PM ^
I see this as proof that RR is not gonna play around with guys not fully sold on what it takes. RR said Monday that guys not ready to compete will not wear the winged helmet this year. Obviously he sold JT on that concept. This verifies the Falk comment about RR haviing some "Bo in him". JT is a bust. See ya.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:17 PM ^
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
[breath, breath, breath, breath]
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
[cursory look at Rivals's list of top CBs for Class of 2011 -- hey Delonte Hollowell got a 4th star. Owait, he's 5'8.]
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
[Goes over my DD spreadsheets again]
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
ARRRRRGHGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Yes, this is a backup cornerback we're talking about. We're also talking about losing the greatest hope at a position of the greatest need.
Rich Rod: please, for me, pick a young recever -- I don't care, Dileo...better yet, D.J. Williamson, and tell me he's practicing at cornerback, just so I can have some hope other than "gee, I wonder if our midget 3-stars will pop?"
I have seen J.T. Floyd. He plays hard. He is smart. But none of that makes him fast enough to cover Big Ten receivers.
Give me something here, Rod. Because this isn't the Big East, where one or the other of talent or heart can get the job done -- we need both, especially at talent-driven positions like, e.g. cornerback.
I just spat out as many "AAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!"s as I did in an entire '09 Ohio State half. Clearly this is not good.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:20 PM ^
My sediments exactly. Based on pure conjecture and reports of the kid's potential, I figured Turner was due to show up this year. Oh well....... !!!!!! Grrr
August 12th, 2010 at 3:25 PM ^
You don't have to be a genius to be a good CB (see Sanders, Deion). Preferably you have: loose, fluid, open hips, good/great acceleration and an exceptional ability to change direction quickly with as little wasted movement as possible. We have nothing above MAC level talent or true freshman at this point and when someone gets hurt (which they will over the course of a 12 game season), we have some serious problems.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:18 PM ^
I feel like that "Ginger Kid" on You Tube. This makes Water Bottle-gate seem less important, and I didn't think anything could do that.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:27 PM ^
Go running over your lunch break and this happens! I am going to stay inside the rest of the week, my waistline be damned.
I know that Turner probably wasn't going to ever pan out as an elite DB at UM, but man, it sure does seem like the Michigan Safety Hating God has increased HIS reach to the entire secondary. Yes, Cullen still looks like a good player and should help, but I agree with others that RR might as well take a slot midget or one of the other guys on the 8-deep at WR and suggest he move to the secondary for a bit.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:33 PM ^
Is this for real or am i still asleep?Well bring on uconn this year is going to be crazy in a good way.Once we win 9 to 10 games this year everything will be just fine.Those you stay will be champions,GO BLUE
August 11th, 2010 at 4:09 PM ^
I’ve taken the liberty to reply to the 1stfew posts in hopes my response will be somewhere near the top and not lost within the 150+ comments as I’m disappointed and/or dare I say disgusted in the negative response(s) cast Justin’s way, all without knowing his true reasons for transferring. Maybe I’m a bit partial b/c he’s from Massillon and I grew up listening to my grandfathers stories of playing for the Tigers himself. But regardless of whether or not he was the 2ndcoming of Woodson or was going to develop into a contributor behind JT Floyd this season; he still was a part of our team and I feel deserves the respect associated with at one time being a Michigan Wolverine. I fully expect Justin to exit just as he entered, with class and held in high regard. I know it’s hard to see the glass ½ full as a result of the past few years, and even though this is an unfortunate decision I wish not to have happened… I’m confident Justin’s decision will in more ways than one contribute to and shape his future success, as well as contribute to the success of our team moving forward. I wish Justin the best of luck in his future endeavors both on and off the field and I’m confident our staff’s track record in working through these “opportunities,” will only make us stronger.
August 11th, 2010 at 6:53 PM ^
I totally second that.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:30 PM ^
So, I've been too busy today to check mgoblog...then I do and see this??? WTF? Our weakest part of the team just got weaker? I understand that random bad luck can result in a flop of a star recruit, but now we've lost two 5* kids from the secondary with talk about Big Will being too fat? BouBou clearly wasn't destined for greatness, but Turner has been a ghost. What happened?
While I understand the importance of keeping things private, it seems important to explain what is going on. Was he unhappy (Boren)? Family issues (McGuffie)? Criminally inclined (Cissoko)? Lazy? Are we not doing proper due diligence on these kids? Is it just random shitty luck?
I wish the kid the best (unless he ends up at OSU), but come on. When do we get good news?
August 11th, 2010 at 6:50 PM ^
The evening of September 4 would be my answer. We'll probably hear from D. Hart soon after we dispatch UCONN.
It is a young position that just got younger, but it got no less hungry. This is troubling because it is a Rich recruit and the question of due dilligence is a good one.
August 11th, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^
Why are all the top ranked recruits leaving? We really are becoming a middle of the road Big Ten team. If you don't think so, then just watch our secondary implode this season. Anyone with half an arm will tear it apart.
August 11th, 2010 at 9:53 PM ^
when is rich rodriguez going to transfer?
August 11th, 2010 at 10:55 PM ^
funny +1
August 11th, 2010 at 10:58 PM ^
We've missed you. And, as always, we have been hoping that you'd stop by with some helpful suggestions, given your sincere and ongoing concern about the welfare of our football program.
August 12th, 2010 at 2:16 AM ^
are people freaking out about a guy who couldn't beat out Floyd or a walk-on?
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