NIU's career leader with 6,038 all-purpose yards, Michael Turner earned All-America honors from Football Digest, The Sporting News and CNN/Sports Illustrated in 2002 and AP, CNN/Sports Illustrated and Sporting News All-America honors in 2003.Â
Turner burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2000 when he rushed for over 200 yards in back-to-back weeks against Eastern Michigan (230) and Central Michigan (281) and finished as the nation’s leading freshman rusher (89.4 yards per game). After finishing his sophomore season as NIU’s second-leading rusher and kick returner, Turner rushed for 1,915 yards and 19 touchdowns during his junior season
As a junior, Turner rushed for 1,915 yards, second-highest in the nation, and 19 touchdowns on his way to First Team All-MAC honors and was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. He also recorded 100 receiving yards in 2002 and had 269 yards on kick returns, for a school-record 2,284 total yards. Turner finished his spectacular NIU career with 1,648 rushing yards as a senior, the fourth-highest total in the country, including 14 touchdowns, as he once again earned first team all-league recognition.Â
Turner finished his career with a school-record 940 rushing attempts and ranks second in school history with 4,941 rushing yards. His 48 touchdowns rank fourth in Huskie history and he recorded 21 100-yard rushing games, the third-most in school history.Â
Turner went on to be drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Atlanta Falcons.Â
