Check off another achievement box on senior Landon Turner’s list of things to do. The University of North Carolina signee was officially selected as one of 90 high school football players to participate in the US Army All-American Bowl to be held Jan 8 at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
“It is very exciting, and a huge achievement,” Turner said. “It is a very honorable game, and I am excited to see what I can do on a national stage.”
The game will be broadcasted live on NBC, the first televised game that Turner will be a part of.
“My first reaction to the whole thing was not only that it is a great achievement, but I get to play on TV,” Turner said with a grin.
According to Turner, he has his parents to thank the most for getting him to this point. He explained that they are always there and have stuck with him throughout the frenzied recruiting process.
“We knew that Landon had made this a goal of his for a while now, so to see it come true is really, really cool,” Turner’s step-father, Chris Womack said. “We knew he had a chance to make it, and to see him officially make it feels really good.”
Landon’s mother Dawn Womack agreed they knew Landon had a chance, but seeing it happen was mind-boggling.
“I am just so proud of him for making it this far, and achieving a goal that he set quite a while ago,” Dawn Womack said.
Early January will be a busy time for Turner, who will play in the bowl game and then days later officially start his career at UNC.
Landon’s father, West Turner, who played collegiate football at West Virginia University, was also in attendance for the press conference. He does not live in Harrisonburg, but tries to get back to see Landon as much as possible.
“I am just so proud of how he has turned out,” West Turner said. “It is great to see him excelling the way that he is, not just as an athlete, but as a fine young man. Hopefully, he can be an example to others as to what hard work can really do for you. I am just happy to see his life is starting out the way that it is.”
While Landon has taken care of his own work on the field, he explained that he owes much of his successes to the people who surround him.
“Without the support of my family, coaches, teammates, and school, I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in today. I owe everyone a huge thank you,” Turner said.
