Deacon Sports Xtra: Turner Adds Maturity and Motor to Deep Defensive Line
6/13/2022 11:54:00 AM | Football, Les Johns
“Kobie Turner is a grown man,” - Coach Clawson
Defensive lineman Kobie Turner became the third Demon Deacon football player to come from Centreville High School in Clifton, Virgina. Wide receiver Nick Ragano and defensive back Nick Andersen committed to Wake Forest directly out of high school.
Turner joined via the transfer portal.
After five years at Richmond where he was a All-Colonial Athletic Association selection three times, Turner decided to finish his college football career at Wake Forest. He hopes to make a big impact in the middle of the Demon Deacon defensive line.
"They aren't going to bring on somebody who they don't expect to have a role," Turner said. "You have one year and it would be a waste. But at the end of the day, I have to go out and earn it, and they have been very clear that I won't be given anything. I have to go out and earn everything, and they believe I can do that.
"So, my role is going to be whatever I make of it. It's all up to whatever I decide to do. I'm obviously going to give it my all and do everything possible to earn the respect of my team. I just have to do it."
Turner enrolled in January and participated in first the aWAKEning then spring camp, immediately earning the praise of Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson.
"Now, Kobie Turner is a grown man," Clawson said right before spring camp. "He came in and was one of our strongest players already. He really did well in the aWAKEning. He has meshed with our football team extremely well.
"We're really excited about him. Losing Miles Fox and Kamara, that was a position where we felt we needed to add a transfer. A player of his caliber, we beat some pretty good schools to get him. He's going to be a really good addition."
While Richmond is certainly no joke academically, Turner had to adjust his habits even before hitting the practice fields for the first time.
"The transition has been smooth," he said. "There's a group of guys I'm around who have really embraced me and helped me get better. After I transitioned school-wise and socially, I've been good. In terms of football, it's been great working extra with these guys and this is a great team to be around.
"The biggest part is that I'm taking graduate classes. Some of the extra stuff for me is out. It's going to class, paying attention and taking part in discussion. It's been great to be in these grad classes."
By the time spring camp got rolling, Turner was at a fever pitch in terms of energy.
"Once you get working with the guys, the energy level just picks you up," he said. "You know it's going to be a challenge when you're going through it, but you have your guys right there with you. It was tough, but a lot of fun. To be able to win the whole thing was rewarded too. I was looking forward to that steak dinner.
"It's been smooth. This defense isn't too difficult to adjust to, because it's similar to what we ran at Richmond. All of these guys are learning alongside me, since it's new to them as well. So just getting back into the swing of things, feeling the energy back playing football. I love to lift, but I'm here to play football. I'm extremely excited to be back doing that."
The Deacs lost defensive tackle Miles Fox after the 2021 season, a team captain who also transferred into the program. The leadership void is starting to be filled by upperclassmen already.
"Dion (Bergan) has been really vocal, and Tyler (Williams) takes ownership of our group as well," Turner said. "I'm learning the ropes from them. There's a lot of guys pushing from the bottom eager to be leaders, and I'm hoping to be in that conversation as I continue to get acclimated to the culture here."
Turner earned CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year in what was the 2021 spring season for the conference, and has impressive career stats. He played in 37 games, grabbing 158 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
"His motor is excellent," Wake Forest defensive line coach Dave Cohen said. "He plays hard and through the whistle. He loves football and has passion."
The relationship built with Cohen was part of the reason Turner picked Wake Forest over a bevy of other Power-5 offers, and working directly with him has been a joy thus far for the 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive lineman.
"He's incredible," Turner said. "He's a coach that really invests in you personally. He makes sure you're doing the right things on the field. You don't want to get on his bad side. He's going to let you know when you do something wrong, but he encourages you as well. You know exactly where you're at every single day."
Turner joined via the transfer portal.
After five years at Richmond where he was a All-Colonial Athletic Association selection three times, Turner decided to finish his college football career at Wake Forest. He hopes to make a big impact in the middle of the Demon Deacon defensive line.
"They aren't going to bring on somebody who they don't expect to have a role," Turner said. "You have one year and it would be a waste. But at the end of the day, I have to go out and earn it, and they have been very clear that I won't be given anything. I have to go out and earn everything, and they believe I can do that.
"So, my role is going to be whatever I make of it. It's all up to whatever I decide to do. I'm obviously going to give it my all and do everything possible to earn the respect of my team. I just have to do it."
Turner enrolled in January and participated in first the aWAKEning then spring camp, immediately earning the praise of Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson.
"Now, Kobie Turner is a grown man," Clawson said right before spring camp. "He came in and was one of our strongest players already. He really did well in the aWAKEning. He has meshed with our football team extremely well.
"We're really excited about him. Losing Miles Fox and Kamara, that was a position where we felt we needed to add a transfer. A player of his caliber, we beat some pretty good schools to get him. He's going to be a really good addition."
While Richmond is certainly no joke academically, Turner had to adjust his habits even before hitting the practice fields for the first time.
"The transition has been smooth," he said. "There's a group of guys I'm around who have really embraced me and helped me get better. After I transitioned school-wise and socially, I've been good. In terms of football, it's been great working extra with these guys and this is a great team to be around.
"The biggest part is that I'm taking graduate classes. Some of the extra stuff for me is out. It's going to class, paying attention and taking part in discussion. It's been great to be in these grad classes."
By the time spring camp got rolling, Turner was at a fever pitch in terms of energy.
"Once you get working with the guys, the energy level just picks you up," he said. "You know it's going to be a challenge when you're going through it, but you have your guys right there with you. It was tough, but a lot of fun. To be able to win the whole thing was rewarded too. I was looking forward to that steak dinner.
"It's been smooth. This defense isn't too difficult to adjust to, because it's similar to what we ran at Richmond. All of these guys are learning alongside me, since it's new to them as well. So just getting back into the swing of things, feeling the energy back playing football. I love to lift, but I'm here to play football. I'm extremely excited to be back doing that."
The Deacs lost defensive tackle Miles Fox after the 2021 season, a team captain who also transferred into the program. The leadership void is starting to be filled by upperclassmen already.
"Dion (Bergan) has been really vocal, and Tyler (Williams) takes ownership of our group as well," Turner said. "I'm learning the ropes from them. There's a lot of guys pushing from the bottom eager to be leaders, and I'm hoping to be in that conversation as I continue to get acclimated to the culture here."
Turner earned CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year in what was the 2021 spring season for the conference, and has impressive career stats. He played in 37 games, grabbing 158 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
"His motor is excellent," Wake Forest defensive line coach Dave Cohen said. "He plays hard and through the whistle. He loves football and has passion."
The relationship built with Cohen was part of the reason Turner picked Wake Forest over a bevy of other Power-5 offers, and working directly with him has been a joy thus far for the 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive lineman.
"He's incredible," Turner said. "He's a coach that really invests in you personally. He makes sure you're doing the right things on the field. You don't want to get on his bad side. He's going to let you know when you do something wrong, but he encourages you as well. You know exactly where you're at every single day."
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