#BowsStories: Calvin Turner

Lightning in a bottle. That’s what the Rainbow Warriors caught in Calvin Turner, a football refugee who fortuitously has found his way to the middle of the Pacific. Turner came here from more than 4,000 miles away after his Jacksonville University football program suddenly shuttered last fall. Ready to begin a new chapter of his football life in paradise, another serious roadblock appeared in the spring: the COVID pandemic.

However, the Georgia native remained resolute and he along with his Rainbow Warrior teammate were back on the field in October. Since then, Turner has been nothing short of electrifying. He’s lined up at running back, wide receiver, wildcat quarterback and has returned both kickoffs and punts for the Rainbow Warriors. He’s averaged more that 10 yards every time he’s touched the ball and has hit pay-dirt a team-leading nine times. 

Heading into UH’s bowl match-up against Houston, Turner reflects on his journey to Hawai‘i and becoming a focal point for the Rainbow Warriors in a season unlike any other. 

While attending New Hampstead High School in Georgia, you were named the Savannah Morning News’ Most Versatile Male Athlete. What sports did you play in high school and what made you ultimately focus on football?

In high school I played football, basketball, baseball and I ran track. I felt that I was better at football than the other sports and it gave me the best opportunity to live out my dreams and play professionally. I was pretty good at basketball, but I’m about six-feet so basketball was probably not the best sport for me to fulfill that dream (chuckle). I won a state championship in track but I wasn’t blazing. Ultimately, football was the best opportunity for me.

In the last year, you’ve had football taken away from you twice. First when Jacksonville shut down its program and then when the Mountain West ceased play this summer due to COVID. What was it like to deal with each situation and what have you learned through it all?

It’s been a wild ride. I learned you got to be optimistic and just stay ready and be prepared at all times. As long as you put your head down and work, you’ll be ready for the opportunity when it comes and everything will be alright.

Was there any doubt in your mind to come to Hawai‘i, especially it being so far from home?

No, not really. I have a great relationship with my parents. I felt like I could live on my own. I didn’t feel there was a lot of pressure moving out here and being on my own. We looked at Hawai'i from the school and football aspect and never really considered the distance and being far from home. We were just focused on the best place to continue my athletic and academic career. 

What was it like when you first arrived here? 

The local boys were very welcoming as were the guys who are from the mainland. As soon as I got here, they invited me to workout and hang out with them. We just hung out a lot because in the spring we didn’t have much to do. So just being around them, spending time with them, allowed us to get closer and closer and be ready for the season. 

What has the transition been like going from an FCS school to an FBS school? 

Skill-wise there are plenty of players on the FCS level who can play at the FBS level. I think the main difference is the speed of the game and the size of the people up front. The O-Line and D-Line are a lot bigger than the FCS guys I played against. 

photos courtesy of Jacksonville University

How have you taken to your role as a do-it-all player for the Rainbow Warriors? What position are you most comfortable with and what’s your favorite thing to do on the field? 

I love the role. I get the ball in a lot of different ways and you can’t be mad about that. I don’t know which position I enjoy the most. Whether it’s at running back or at slot or wherever, it doesn’t matter to me. I just enjoy getting the ball in open space because I feel when I’m in open space that’s when I’m at my best. 

What do you enjoy more….scoring touchdowns or juking your opponents silly?

Gotta be scoring touchdowns. Putting points on the board is the number one thing. But juking people is very fun, haha. 

Who are the players that you’ve modeled your game after?

Growing up I was always a Reggie Bush fan and watching him run clear across the field. Today, I model myself after players like Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffery, guys who are running backs and who can catch the ball out of the backfield and do many other things besides just running the ball.

Have you been surprised with how successful you’ve been on the field this year and what has led to your success?

It hasn’t been a surprise. I just needed the opportunity to show what I can do. I believe in myself and I got 100 percent faith in myself. I believed once I got the opportunity I could show people what I was fully capable of doing. 

What are your thoughts on making the all-Mountain West second team?

I’m very grateful. Coming from a lower division school and just being here and being able to show off my talent, it just shows that all the hard work that I’ve put out the last couple of years is paying off.  I’m just very thankful for that. 

What was it like to find out the team would be heading to Frisco, Texas and the New Mexico Bowl?

It was crazy because everyone thought the season was over after the last game. A lot of people were planning to go home and things like that. I think it's a blessing to have one more game during this COVID season. We are one of the few teams that have been able to play all our (scheduled) games this season, so I think it’s a blessing to have another opportunity to go out and play again.I just look forward to the whole bowl experience with the days leading up to the game and all the gifts and just being out there in Texas. It’s the first (bowl) for me so I’m just excited.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I mean we’re in Hawai‘i….you go to the beach, you go on a hike. I love it here. I love being in the outdoors. It’s perfect for me. 

What is your major and what are your future career plans?

I’m an interdisciplinary major. After college I do want to play professional but it that doesn’t work out I want to come back to school and become a grad assistant and pursue a coaching career. 

What have you enjoyed the most about being in Hawai‘i?

Probably the great weather and the beautiful scenery.
 

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