New Mexico State Aggies RB Kenny Turner Entering 2012 NFL Draft

After spending five years in prison after being charged with attempted murder as a 16 year-old kid, former Junior College All-American and New Mexico State Aggie running back Kenny Turner is going to try to fulfill a life-long dream of playing in the NFL by entering the 2012 NFL Draft.

Turner, who is best friends with Titans running back Chris Johnson and Jaguars receiver Mike Sims-Walker, was one of the top rated high school football prospects prior to his incident, which he claims was self-defense in a gas station shooting back in 2002.

I can’t do the story of Turner justice as it was told nearly two years ago by Geoff Grammer of the New Mexican. As it pertains to football, Turner was a junior college All-American who averaged nearly 130 yards per game, but he was off to a slow start at New Mexico State.

In 2011, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and had his best game–in my opinion–against the best level of competition in a game against Georgia, where he flashed his ability not just as a runner (23 carries, 94 yards, TD), but as a receiver as well (8 receptions, 127 yards, TD).

According to the article by Grammer, Turner runs a 4.37 40 yard dash at 5’10” 192 pounds. His past is certainly going to prompt a few NFL general managers to pass on him, as will his age (he will be 27 this year), but he has put his life together both on and off the field to deserve a second chance. Here is what he had to say in a release by the university about his decision to declare for the NFL Draft:

“First of all I would like to thank Coach Walker, Dr. Boston and the NM State administration for giving me the opportunity to play Division I football at New Mexico State,” Turner said. “Coming out of junior college I had a few other offers to play Division I football, but after I visited New Mexico State I felt that it was home and I felt that it was the right decision for me. This was a very difficult decision I had to make but when it came down to it I was going to be 27 years old, and in the NFL and at the running back position, age is a factor. So I need to make the jump from college to the NFL. Again, I appreciate all the support and I enjoyed my time as an Aggie.”