Interest in defensive end Immanuel Turner of Magnolia is heating up and the interest will likely grow after the spring evaluation period that ends May 31.
Turner played last season at 205 pounds, but has added 25 pounds to his frame during the offseason and kept his speed in the 40 yard dash. Video highlights CLICK HERE
“I time them pretty conservatively and he timed at 4.75,” said Magnolia Coach John Panter. “He’s still maintaining his speed and power.”
Turner had 31 unassisted tackles, 18 assisted, 8 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries, 5 quarterback knock downs, 3 batted balls and a forced fumble last year. Arkansas, Ole Miss, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech and others are showing interest.
“Everybody we played, he was always the one guy they kept talking about that gave them problems,” Panter said.
Panter, who was the El Dorado defensive coordinator before being hired by the Panthers in January of 2013, said Turner has made strides in the weight room.
“He was a 190 bench when we got here and now he’s at 260,” Panter said. “He was a 225 power clean and now he’s at 305. He didn’t like the weight room he tried to find his way out of it and now I can’t get him out of there.”
Turner combines an aggressive attitude with impressive athleticism.
“He definitely has a nasty streak and he has a burst and a explosion,” Panter said.
Panter said Turner is a joy to coach.
“You talk about kids buying in and being coachable, he’s probably the most coachable kid we’ve had,” Panter said. It would be easy for him to continue on the same path and he bought into what we’re doing and believed in it and now he’s seen some results.”
Turner will likely add to his height and weight.
“He’s got the frame to probably put on another 20 or 30 pounds and still maintain that speed,” Panter said. “I honestly don’t think he’s finished growing. I think he’ll end up being 6-4.”