This is what Turner says when asked about what he thinks about his coach questioning his leadership: "I understand where he's coming from with that. I feel the same way. This is my fifth year, my third year playing, and we're a young team. We're looking for leadership, and I'm the quarterback. I'm the obvious answer for that. It's something I'm trying to grow into."
This is what Turner thinks most people don't understand about him: There are multiple aspects of his personality.
"I'm not always chill, like I am right now," he says. "I'm very competitive when I'm on the field. There are times when I'll just snap. [Laid-back] might be who I am, but I'm also a football player. I've worked really hard in the weight room and the film room to get to where I am."
This is the last time Turner says he can remember feeling truly nervous during a football game: "When I was a sophomore in high school, I was on JV, and halfway through the season, the varsity quarterback went down," said Turner, who played for Chaminade High and was also recruited by Louisville, Boise State, Oregon, Utah and Texas Tech. "They just threw me in the varsity game against Valencia High School ... kind of a powerhouse out in California. I remember being nervous then. It got pretty ugly, to be honest. Ever since then, I've always thought to myself, 'It can't get worse than that.' "
This is what helped Turner decide he was going to sign with Maryland out of high school: While most high school players dream of a career in the NFL, he has always been more interested in politics.
"I've always been drawn to politics," said Turner, who hopes to get an internship on Capitol Hill next semester. "I was nerdy about it, even in high school. A lot of my friends were turned off by how I always wanted to read more about it. But it's who I am. I just love it."
This is who was less than thrilled when Turner - after listening to bands like Bad Religion and NOFX sing about social issues - started to gravitate toward liberal causes and ideals: his father, John Turner, the original drummer in the 1980s big hair metal band Ratt.
"I think he was probably pretty annoyed with it," said Turner, who considered volunteering for Barack Obama's presidential campaign last fall. "My dad is a pretty conservative guy. I know he's annoyed with it now, especially since [my side] finally won an election. It's interesting to argue with your parents because their focus is different. They want a job that pays the bills and they want to put a roof over your head. But I'm an idealist and I want different things. ... I want to be involved."
