UAPB Coach knows Turner’s path to excellence

UAPB Coach Monte Cole-man: "Senior linebacker Tim Turner is the unquestioned leader of the Golden Lions defense with 122 tackles a year ago."

PINE BLUFF, AK — Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach Monte Coleman probably thought he had a pretty interesting sports history. It’s not every day a young man grows up with his eye on other sports, hardly plays high school football, never receives a recruiting letter and yet goes on to become a standout linebacker in college and, later, the NFL. Yet for all the odd little bumps and curves that led Coleman to stardom, he’s not the only member of the UAPB football program who has followed that path... at least up through college.

A preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection who led UAPB with 122 tackles a year ago, senior linebacker Tim Turner is the unquestioned leader of the Golden Lions defense. His speed — Coleman said he can run a 4. 5-second 40-yard dash — and 6-1, 220-pound size fit the ideal college linebacker mold, enough so that the New York Giants had a scout in Pine Bluff last Friday to do some firsthand observation.

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UAPB Players make All-American Football Team

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff linebacker Tim Turner, along with teammates Ledarius Anthony and Stewart Franks, were recently named as members of the Consensus Draft Services Preseason All-American squad.

Turner, a 6-2, 215-pound senior from Little Rock was named to the Division I-AA first-team defense after leading the Golden Lions in tackles last season with 122. The Parkview High product also notched seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Anthony, a 6-6, 270-pound senior defensive end from Pine Bluff was tabbed for a spot on the Division I-AA second-team defense, after registering 66 tackles and 11 tackles for losses. The NFL prospect was among the leaders in sacks last season in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with 8.5.

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