Turner turns receivers wild
Numerous publications and football pundits have claimed that Illinois head coach Ron Turner is one of the best at evaluating, nurturing, coaching and producing top college and NFL quarterbacks.
Who can argue with his impressive list of QBs? For once, there's no argument from me.
Kurt Kittner. Jeff Garcia. Jim Harbaugh. Sean Salisbury. Rodney Peete. Erik Kramer.
Those are just a few QBs who have experienced college and NFL success thanks to Turner. And that list continues to grow with Turner's latest project: Jon Beutjer.
While Beutjer has posted an impressive start to the 2003 season — a career-high 31 completions against Mizzou and tying a career-high with four TDs on Saturday — it's another position that's been drawing rave reviews lately.
Against Illinois State on Saturday, Turner once again displayed his knack for developing players at another offensive position: wide receiver.
Turner's development of wide receivers in recent years has sometimes been overlooked by his incredible success with QBs.
But he can't be overlooked any longer.
On Saturday, Turner's receivers broke records. On Sunday, they broke into the NFL.
Two of his most unlikely proteges stole the show in the Illini's home opener: former Illini Dwayne Smith and former QB Mark Kornfeld.
Illinois State's Dwayne Smith caught a Memorial Stadium record 14 passes for 243 yards. He also added two TDs on an emotional Saturday. It was his return game to Champaign — where he was a member of the Illini from 1999-2001 — and it was the day his grandmother was laid to rest in nearby Rantoul.
"Dwayne's being humble. That wasn't just an amazing performance — that was inspiring," ISU junior linebacker Boomer Grigsby said. "That's unreal to come back to the school you left and do that at home. All the credit goes to him. He should be the only man in this room."
In the third quarter, Smith appeared to be the only Redbird on the field. He caught six passes for 166 yards and two TDs in that frame.
Smith didn't slip through Turner's fingers like he did through Turner's defense Saturday. Smith left the Illini because the receiving unit was ... deep.
At the end of the 2001 season, Smith was sixth on the Illini depth chart behind future NFLers Brandon Lloyd (San Francisco 49ers), Walter Young (Carolina Panthers), Aaron Moorehead (Indianapolis Colts), Greg Lewis (Philadelphia Eagles) and current Illini safety Eric McGoey.
Smith left for a school where he'd receive more playing time. And he certainly did on Saturday.
"The game plan called for me to step up and that's what I tried to do today," Smith said. "I just got in the zone, I guess."
Illini junior receiver Mark Kornfeld also found "the zone." He led all Illini receivers with career-high four catches, 73 yards and one TD.
Once the butt of many Illini jokes about his speed, Kornfeld had the last laugh Saturday.
"I'm not that slow," Kornfeld said. "They kid around with me all the time."
Kornfeld came to the Illini as a QB and held that position for his first 2.5 years in Champaign. But in an effort to earn more playing time, he sought Turner's advice as to a position switch. Kornfeld thought he'd try safety.
But Turner had other ideas. He suggested Kornfeld try wide receiver.
Turner's suggestion has paid off so far. Kornfeld has utilized his immense knowledge of the offensive system and his soft, deft touch to produce another solid Turner receiver.
Kornfeld isn't the first Turner convert at receiver. Turner turned a speedy, agile freshman defensive back into one of the Illini's all-time great receivers. Meet Brandon Lloyd.
Turner turned a tall, lanky redshirt freshman into one of the biggest slot receiving threats in the Big Ten. Meet Walter Young.
Lloyd and Young are slated to become successful NFL receivers. The Turner conversion system works. So does his receiver development system.
There are two ways to measure a college coach's success. First is wins. Turner won a Big Ten championship in 2001. Check.
Second, how many players does the coach send to the NFL. Lloyd, Young, Moorehead and Lewis made their NFL debuts at receiver this weekend. Check.
There are three Turner products playing QB in the NFL. Four receivers made their NFL debut this weekend.
I think it's about time we add "top-notch system to develop receivers" to Turner's resume.
Chris Neubauer is a senior in communications. He can be reached at sports@dailyillini.com.  Send letters to letters@dailyillini.com.
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