TCU debuts new faces on offense, but ‘Turp’ needs no introduction

When TCU opens the season Saturday night with new quarterback Kenny Hill against South Dakota State, the plan is to look at a lot of the players expected to help him on offense.

But he probably already knows plenty about KaVontae Turpin. Everybody else at TCU does.

“Turpin, man that dude is special, honestly,” running back Kyle Hicks said and smiled big. “I told him I just want to work with him on my footwork, so I can get my feet like his.”

Everybody wants Turpin’s quick feet. They helped the 5-foot-9, 153-pound H-back to eight touchdowns receptions a year ago, including four against Texas that set a Big 12 freshman record for TD catches in a game.

The Horned Frogs try to do whatever they can to get him the ball. They handed it to him 20 times last year, and he averaged 5.8 yards. And he returned kicks. His 27.0-yard average on kickoff returns was second in the Big 12, and he had a 49-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Co-offensive coordinator Doug Meacham said Turpin can be a version of Texas Tech ex Jakeem Grant.

“It’s just nice to have a guy that you can hand it to, can make everybody miss and score,” he said.

Turpin caught coach Gary Patterson’s eye in fall camp a year ago with his skill and bright personality and has never given him reason to complain.

Except maybe ...

“I wish he was bigger,” Patterson said. “But Turp’s going to be Turp.”

And that’s all the Frogs want — “Turp to be Turp,” the good player and the always-smiling teammate.

“He’s his own person,” receiver Deanté Gray said. “He’s KaVontae Turpin. You’ve got to love him. He loves to play football. He’s super-competitive. That attitude shows on and off the field. I think what’s lost is how hard he works. How he plays is a reflection of how hard he works.”

TCU has not made Turpin available to reporters. But when others talk about him, they can’t do it without affection.

“Never in a bad mood,” Hicks said. “Turp’s always happy. Never negative. He’s always happy.”

Said Gray:, “That kid right there has so much upside and potential. I think what’s lost is how hard he works. How he plays is a reflection of how hard he works.”

Since 1998, 13 players have returned a punt for a touchdown at TCU. But only Jeremy Kerley did it more than once. Turpin could climb that list if he continues to get chances. And he’s already 10th in punt return yardage at TCU since 1998.

If that’s important to him.

“He’s humble. He’s very humble,” Hicks said. “His attitude hasn’t changed toward the team. He’s not walking around thinking he’s hot stuff. I would say he’s just coming in every day, he’s ready to get better.”

Turpin is one of a large group of skill players TCU has to sort through as it tries to find an offensive identity. New faces are in place at receiver and running back. Hill could use a new Josh Doctson, if there is one.

But there is a KaVontae Turpin. And the Frogs know him well.

“He has a big heart,” Hicks said. “He’s tough. There are not too may things Turp backs down from. He’s a tough kid. He’s always willing to compete and get better. That’s one thing that makes Turp special.”

This story was originally published September 2, 2016 at 11:13 AM with the headline "TCU debuts new faces on offense, but ‘Turp’ needs no introduction."