Iowa DB commit Josh Turner more than a recruit on Saturday
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa defensive back commit Josh Turner got more than a recruiting experience during his unofficial visit to Iowa City over the weekend.
The Delray Beach, Fla., native also got to experience the thrill of being a fan of his future team. Turner was among the thousands of fans who rushed on to the field after true freshman kicker Keith Duncan made a 33-yard field goal as time expired to lift Iowa to victory.
"Honestly, I wasn't surprised by the outcome," Turner said. "I knew the guys were going to come out ready to go on a big stage like that. I was just really pumped for (head coach) Kirk Ferentz and for the guys to come out and get a win like that after losing a couple games they should have won and also missing a couple starters.
"Of course I stormed the field."
Turner also did some recruiting of his own during his visit and has a feeling that Iowa will soon be adding another commit to its 2017 class.
Scott Nelson, a native of Detroit, Mich., made an official visit to Iowa over the weekend. Turner spoke with the three-star safety and thinks the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Nelson may be the next recruit to join Iowa's 2017 class.
"I got a chance to talk with Scotty," Turner said. "Me and him have been talking for a while now. I told him about how I think he could fit in at Iowa and how badly we want him. I could tell that he likes it here but you never know. I'll support him wherever he ends up.
"But I get a good feeling (that he's going to commit)."
Although, he has visited Iowa before, the 6-foot, 180-pound Turner hadn't experienced the game-day atmosphere until Saturday night.
Turner is optimistic about the future of Iowa's defensive backfield after witnessing the performance of true freshman defensive back Manny Rugamba, who recorded his second interception of his young career Saturday night.
Rugamba started for injured senior cornerback Greg Mabin, who had started 31 consecutive games prior to Saturday. Rugamba won Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for his performance against Michigan .
"It was just great to to finally experience the atmosphere I'll be playing in," Turner said. "To see Manny play like that in his first start just shows we're going to have a defensive back core for years to come."
Turner said he plans on taking his official visit to Iowa in January.