NMSU’s Turner to Enter NFL Draft

New Mexico State football head coach DeWayne Walker announced Friday that running back Kenny Turner has declared himself eligible for the 2012 NFL Draft. Turner played two seasons for the Aggies as a running back and slot receiver.

?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.?

?I walked through this process with Kenny (Turner), explaining the pros and cons of declaring for the NFL, and at the end of the day it was his decision and we will support him in any way we can to help him fulfill his dream of being an NFL player,? Walker said. ?He understands through this process that he must graduate and Kenny promised me that he would take care of that piece of it. There is life after football and he understands that as well. We hate to see him leave but I do understand his decision and we are going to support it and we want to make sure he graduates from college.?

Turner (Orlando, Fla.) led the Aggies with 1,074 yards rushing in 2011, becoming just the second NM State running back since the 2000 season to rush for over 1,000 yards. Turner accounted for 10 rushing touchdowns on the year as well, while averaging 82.6 yards a game, fourth best in the WAC. He also finished second on the team in receiving with 46 catches for 514 yards and three touchdowns.

Source: NMSU Athletics