While drawing T.Y Hilton comparisons, commit wants to establish own legacy

Decommitting from the University of Miami and then committing to FIU doesn’t happen often, but Dennis Turner did so in his first attempt to create his own legacy.

Turner, who has already drawn comparisons to FIU great T.Y. Hilton, is a product of Fort Lauderdale Dillard High and is rated a three star recruit by 247Sports. He eventually chose FIU over schools like: Toledo, Wake Forest and Northern Illinois.

Dennis Turner, a three-star recruit, will look to establish his own legacy at FIU. Photo courtesy of Dennis Turner.

Turner, in an interview with FIUSM through Twitter, expressed his desire to create his story at FIU, even though he takes the Hilton comparisons as a compliment. Turner said FIU receivers coach Cameron Turner said he compares favorably to Hilton.

“I been hearing them [the comparisons] a lot,” Turner said. “He’s T.Y. and I’m Dennis, I want create my own legacy.”

If creating a legacy and impacting the team right away is what Turner truly desired in a college team, FIU was definitely the right choice for him. Turner will get an opportunity to play as a freshman, something that might not have been possible at UM.

“FIU is in my backyard,” Turner said on why he chose FIU. “Playing time [was also a factor]. And I believe in coach Turner’s plan.”

For some recruits, FIU’s horrific 1-11 season this past year could diminish their interest. This was not the case for Turner, he experienced similar growing pains when it came to winning during his first couple of years in high school.

“I’m ok with it [FIU’s struggles last year] my first two years at Dillard we went 3-7 and 2-8,” Turner said. “So I know how to deal with that.”

Turner’s experience on less-than stellar teams could prove beneficial as he knows what it takes to turn the misfortunes around. Dillard went 8-4 this past season, and 6-6 the year before that.

“It’s gonna take a team effort, no one man can take on a game by himself. Everyone has to believe in coach Turner’s plan. ” Turner said. “I do, but I’m gonna try to build chemistry with the team so I can have a bond with teammates. I can’t just go in there with cold feet and know no one it’s going to be chaos.”

Turner will have a familiar face helping him face the chaos, his Dillard quarterback, Bud Martin, has already enrolled at FIU. Martin and Turner will bring that special quarterback-to-receiver bond to FIU.

“Nothing would have changed whether I went to a different school,” Turner said of his relationship with Martin. “We still would of been boys, but the fact we’re at the same school is even better.”.

Turner was a two-way player at Dillard, playing both the wide receiver position and the cornerback spot. It was rumored at first that Turner decommitted from UM because they were recruiting him primarily as a cornerback when he wanted to play receiver.

“It would have been fun playing some cornerback, but it’s receiver I’m most comfortable with,’’ Turner said in an interview with the Miami Herald.

FIU picks up a big-play receiver in Turner, who is 5-11, 170 pounds and accounted for more than 1,100 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns to lead Dillard to the Region 4-6A quarterfinals last season.

“I’m going to bring FIU some explosiveness, tenacity, a team-first type of player who loves being around teammates,’’ Turner said. “Somebody who fights for their team, each and every game.”

-ruben.palacios@fiusm.com