Photo by: Chris Chandler
Bringing CHOP to Life
Sep 23 | Football
Fate brought Julius Turner from Meridian, Mississippi to Piscataway, New Jersey, to compete in the Big Ten Conference and represent Rutgers football. Fate is also responsible for the fifth-year senior playing his most productive football since arriving 'On the Banks.'
In the early going of the 2021 campaign, Turner has wreaked havoc in the trenches recording nine stops, including four tackles-for-loss and a career-best 2.5 sacks. He credits his consistent production with a greater level of maturity. A perspective made possible by head coach Greg Schiano and the program's mantra – CHOP.
"Coming in with a lot of maturity and chopping every day," said Turner pointing to his increased production. "Coach Schiano preaches to keep going and chop the moment."
Over the years, Turner has not only matured on the field, but he has also grown as a leader. Voted one of the team's six captains, he finds himself in the position to impart many of the lessons he's learned onto his younger teammates.
"I never expected it," said Turner. "I've come a long way since being here in 2016. My teammates voted for me and they expect a lot from me, so I'm going to keep on leading."
A fierce competitor, Turner often shows his passion and intensity on the field when celebrating a timely sack or pivotal stop on third down. As a leader, Turner not only let's his play do the talking but he also intends to offer a supportive word to his teammates when needed.
"I try to lead by example," said Turner. "I talk to them every day, every night about the game plan and try to be there for whatever they need. If they want to come to me, I got them."
Last season, playing for a new coaching staff led by Schiano, Turner saw his game rise to another level. Turner established a reputation of being a disruptive force and run stopper in opposing team's backfield, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2020 after totaling 35 tackles with 34 against the run. He added multiple tackles in eight of the Scarlet Knights' nine games last season and recorded a tackle-for-loss in seven different contests.
"I respect them a lot for putting me in a position to make plays," said Turner. "I'm glad they came in and trusted me so much."
Schiano took note of Turner's impact on the defensive line and his ability to impact the game beyond first and second down. That production by has been rewarded with an opportunity to influence the passing game on third down this season. Turner showed his ability to get after the quarterback in the Scarlet Knights' 45-13 rout of Delaware as the defensive tackle recorded five tackles, including 2.0 tackles-for-loss and a career-best 1.5 sacks.
"Every defensive lineman's dream is to be on the third down rush team," said Schiano. "He's earned that right and I think he's done a good job. He's pressured the quarterback on first and second down which he's always been able to do, and now he's doing it on third down as well."
"I'm proud of myself," said Turner. "I'm a big believer in God. God knew what he was doing to put me in this position. Everything happens for a reason and I'm just blessed."
Turner has come along way since his freshman year, showing growth as a football player and becoming a leader both on and off the field. Bound by F.A.M.I.L.Y., Trust and Chop, the pillars of the Rutgers football program, Turner relishes the success he and his teammates have experienced. Through the ups and downs he never lost faith.
"I never gave up," said Turner. "There were times that I wanted to stop playing but I just kept going. Coach Schiano and this staff kept telling me to 'keep trust in us' and that's what I'm doing. I'm a big believer in God and he blessed me with this opportunity."
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
In the early going of the 2021 campaign, Turner has wreaked havoc in the trenches recording nine stops, including four tackles-for-loss and a career-best 2.5 sacks. He credits his consistent production with a greater level of maturity. A perspective made possible by head coach Greg Schiano and the program's mantra – CHOP.
"Coming in with a lot of maturity and chopping every day," said Turner pointing to his increased production. "Coach Schiano preaches to keep going and chop the moment."
Over the years, Turner has not only matured on the field, but he has also grown as a leader. Voted one of the team's six captains, he finds himself in the position to impart many of the lessons he's learned onto his younger teammates.
"I never expected it," said Turner. "I've come a long way since being here in 2016. My teammates voted for me and they expect a lot from me, so I'm going to keep on leading."
A fierce competitor, Turner often shows his passion and intensity on the field when celebrating a timely sack or pivotal stop on third down. As a leader, Turner not only let's his play do the talking but he also intends to offer a supportive word to his teammates when needed.
"I try to lead by example," said Turner. "I talk to them every day, every night about the game plan and try to be there for whatever they need. If they want to come to me, I got them."
Last season, playing for a new coaching staff led by Schiano, Turner saw his game rise to another level. Turner established a reputation of being a disruptive force and run stopper in opposing team's backfield, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2020 after totaling 35 tackles with 34 against the run. He added multiple tackles in eight of the Scarlet Knights' nine games last season and recorded a tackle-for-loss in seven different contests.
"I respect them a lot for putting me in a position to make plays," said Turner. "I'm glad they came in and trusted me so much."
Schiano took note of Turner's impact on the defensive line and his ability to impact the game beyond first and second down. That production by has been rewarded with an opportunity to influence the passing game on third down this season. Turner showed his ability to get after the quarterback in the Scarlet Knights' 45-13 rout of Delaware as the defensive tackle recorded five tackles, including 2.0 tackles-for-loss and a career-best 1.5 sacks.
"Every defensive lineman's dream is to be on the third down rush team," said Schiano. "He's earned that right and I think he's done a good job. He's pressured the quarterback on first and second down which he's always been able to do, and now he's doing it on third down as well."
"I'm proud of myself," said Turner. "I'm a big believer in God. God knew what he was doing to put me in this position. Everything happens for a reason and I'm just blessed."
Turner has come along way since his freshman year, showing growth as a football player and becoming a leader both on and off the field. Bound by F.A.M.I.L.Y., Trust and Chop, the pillars of the Rutgers football program, Turner relishes the success he and his teammates have experienced. Through the ups and downs he never lost faith.
"I never gave up," said Turner. "There were times that I wanted to stop playing but I just kept going. Coach Schiano and this staff kept telling me to 'keep trust in us' and that's what I'm doing. I'm a big believer in God and he blessed me with this opportunity."
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ FootballDefensive Line Coach Dennis Dottin-Carter - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Tight Ends Coach Scott Vallone - 04/02/26
Thursday, April 02
Defensive Coordinator Travis Johansen - 03/31/26
Tuesday, March 31
