MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — KaVontae Turpin’s first two seasons at TCU featured an array of jukes, spins and stop-and-start highlights.
Too bad he’s been stopping and starting for the wrong reasons during the past eight months. After a knee injury interrupted his promising sophomore year, academic problems sideline Turpin for most of spring practice.
Upon being reinstated by coach Gary Patterson, does the 5-foot-9 dynamo become the weapon the Frogs require to rebound from a 6-7 record?
Not to invoke Tavon Austin comparisons (pure heresy in these parts), but Turpin’s career bears statistical similarities. His 75 catches for 944 yards through two seasons are in line with Austin’s 73 for 938. Turpin has 11 touchdowns (nine receiving, two returns) compared to Austin’s 12 (nine receiving, two rushing, one return).
Patterson would jump out frequently retied sneakers should Turpin approach the monstrous leap in production Austin experienced over his final two years. It’s probably fantasy for TCU to expect such once-in-a-generation stats, but a healthy, focused, hard-to-tackle Turpin figures to be part of any formula that leads the Frogs back into the Top 25.
As the Gold & Blue Lunch Report unveils 20-16 on its list of the Big 12’s Top 50 players, expect a few Turpin highlights — along with a West Virginia
Previous — Big 12’s Top 50 players: 25-21
21. K-State cornerback DJ Reed
22. Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson
23. Oklahoma guard Ben Powers
24. K-State defensive end Reggie Walker
25. Oklahoma safety Steven Parker
Previous — Big 12’s Top 50 players: 30-26
26. Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews
27. Baylor defensive end K.J. Smith
28. Kansas defensive tackle Daniel Wise
29. Texas running back Chris Warren
30. Baylor linebacker Taylor Young
Previous — Big 12’s Top 50 players: 35-31
31. Texas defensive end Malcolm Roach
32. Baylor running back Terence Williams
33. Oklahoma State offensive tackle Aaron Cochran
34. Oklahoma State receiver Marcell Ateman
35. Kansas State quarterback Jesse Ertz
Previous — Big 12’s Top 50 players: 40-36
36. Oklahoma State receiver Jalen McClesky
37. Oklahoma linebacker Caleb Kelly
38. TCU safety Nick Orr
39. Texas quarterback Shane Buechele
40. West Virginia cornerback Corey Winfield
Previous — Big 12’s Top 50 players: 45-41
41. Texas Tech receiver Keke Coutee
42. West Virginia linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
43. Oklahoma receiver Jeff Badet
44. Oklahoma State linebacker Chad Whitener
45. Kansas running back Octavious Matthews
Previous — Big 12’s Top 50 players: 50-46
46. West Virginia receiver Ka’Raun White
47. Kansas State running back Alex Barnes
48. Oklahoma State safety Ramon Richards
49. TCU quarterback Kenny Hill
50. Kansas State receiver Byron Pringle