Interview: 2020 Arkansas Dual-Threat Cannon Turner Has It All, Two State Titles and Grades

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The resume for Class of 2020 dual-threat quarterback Cannon Turner is impressive and growing. The Arkadelphia High School talent already has two 4A state championships on the resume, sports a 4.0 GPA, and has scored a 28 on the ACT. If that is not enough to impress, his play on the field is drawing next level interest and offers along with deserved accolades.

After winning a state title in 2017, the Badgers could have folded the tents on the 2018 season feeling like they have nothing left to accomplish, and that may have been the fan’s perspective to start the season. The Badgers opened the season 0-5 losing three games by a total of 12 points. But, in perhaps his greatest season yet, Turner helped lead one of the greatest comebacks ever guiding his squad on an 11-game winning streak with a second trophy in hand and another Championship Game MVP honor for the mantle.

If the 2018 season proved anything, it proved that Turner is a winner and a player. After passing for 1,352 yards with 12 scores and rushing for 1,056 and 12 trips into the end zone as a sophomore, he threw for another 1,299 yards posting 13 scores on the board and hit the ground for 1,259 yards accounting for another 13 touchdowns. The 6-0, 195-pound, play-maker is now a three-time All-Conference selection with All-State and two state title MVP honors to his credit. While still under the radar, he does have two offers on the table from Harding and Ouachita Baptist with Rice, Harvard, Louisiana Tech and Memphis showing interest.

In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with Turner to learn more about his abilities on and off the field during an in-depth one-on-one.

Interview

Cannon, I’m sure most people had discounted the Badgers early in the season after the 0-5 start. You guys did the improbable going 11-0 the rest of the way capturing the 4A Arkansas state title. What was the shift for the team from the losing streak to the winning ways?

“I’d say we got a lot more confident. The first five games we were not playing as good but we were also playing tough teams and teams at a higher classification like Benton, the runner up in 6A. We were one or two plays away from winning at least three of those games. The first win against Fountain Lake gave us momentum.”

As a leader on the team, how did you manage through the tough times into and throughout the win streak?

“I kept preaching what the coaches were saying, keep working and the hard work will pay off.”

You guys even avenged a 42-14 Week 5 loss to Robinson in the title game taking down the Senators 28-0. What was that championship game like for you?

“It was amazing. I had a ton of fun, even thought it was cold. To beat a team that had beaten us early in the season was great for me and for the team.”

The question I wanted to ask first, the question I might be most excited to ask you about is the interception you got playing safety. Walk me through how and why you were playing safety and what was going through your mind when you got to pick off a quarterback.

(Laughs) “I started playing defense around Week 6; I actually had two interceptions this season. On one of them we were shallow in the defensive backfield. We had some sophomores playing, but the coaches thought I could bring an advantage back there with my athleticism. The Shiloh Christian and Gosnell games are the two I got picks. Against Gosnell, I was playing a centerfielder type. They kept throwing the fade, and I picked it off. The Shiloh Christian one, those guys throw a ton. I played corner and safety in that game. It was a close game. I was able to jump a slant and picked it off. That was crucial for us stopping them from scoring in a tight game.”

Over the course of the season, how did your game improve as a throwing quarterback?

“I got more confident in route concepts and in my receivers. I was lazy with my footwork early in the season, and then started focusing on that throughout the rest of the season. My accuracy improved when my footwork improved. I developed chemistry with the younger receivers. We got on the same page with our routes, that helped a lot.”

From watching game film, you can hit the long pass well. What are some of the intermediate throws you like to connect on out of the offense?

“The beater, a slant over the middle. One of my better throws is the corner route. That is a level 2 throw, not on a rope, a medium throw with touch.”

The game film does not lie, you have some wheels and you do not go down easy. How did your abilities as a ball carrier take a step forward in 2018?

“That goes back to how much I improved in the weight room. My squat and other lifts went up and I was running track during the offseason. Running sprints helped me as a ball carrier this season.”

After the big season you posted which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“Rice, Harvard came down to talk to me, and Memphis has been talking to me some.”

Have you received any offers yet?

“Yes. Ouachita Baptist and Harding have offered me.”

Fantastic. Have you had a chance to visit any schools yet?

“Yes. I have been to Memphis, OBU, and Louisiana Tech.”

How did the Memphis visit go?

“It was a lot of fun. I was there for the Tulsa game, they won big. An alumnus, Emmanuel Cooper (DT), plays there. It was great to see him play.”

How did OBU go?

“It was good. I love going to games there. We have two college football teams here in Arkadelphia, there is always a game to go watch during the season.”

What about Louisiana Tech, how did that visit go?

“That was a lot of fun as well. I was there for a fun game. I like their setup and their facilities. That was a lot of fun.”

You mentioned running track last season, will you run track again, if so, which events?

“I run the 100, 200, 4×1, 4×2, and sometimes I compete in the long and triple jump.”

Wow. That is a lot of events. Are you going to play 7v7 ball this offseason?

“Yes. I am playing with Arkansas Elite 100.”

How are you hoping playing 7v7 ball will help push your game forward?

“Throwing against top competition will always help improve your game.”

Cannon, I appreciate your time today. Good luck with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

Donate Now

Photo credit: Turner family; Cannon Turner at Memphis

Photo credit: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Cannon Turner rolls out