University of Connecticut Athletics
Aaron Turner Stepping Up As A Teammate
9/15/2022 2:49:00 PM | Football
Sept. 15, 2022
When both Keelan Marion and Cameron Ross, UConn football's top two wide receivers, went down with injury early in the season, UConn sophomore wideout Aaron Turner knew that he needed to step up to put his team in the best position for winning, especially as a teammate.
Playing high school football at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., Turner learned early what it meant to be a true team player, helping lead his team to a WCAC Championship in his final high school game. He has brought those attributes to Storrs.
"The one thing you need to have as a good teammate is accountability,"Â Turner said. "You need to be able to be counted on. Even if it's as simple as going to class, your teammates need to know that you're not skipping class. On the field, you have to be able to count on your teammates."
As the leading receiver for UConn in the 2022 season, Turner has shown that he can be counted on, reeling in 11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown in three games. Despite his season performance so far, Turner is always looking to get better on the field.
"I try to look at the things that I need to work on the most because that's what is going to help us win," he said. "At the end of the day, I'm more of a team player."
Turner's attitude as a team player can be best exhibited in his relationship with quarterback Zion Turner. As a freshman in a new environment, UConn's starting quarterback says it's good to have someone like Turner as a teammate.
"Me and AT, we've got the same last name," Turner said with a smile. "We have a great relationship. That's one of my brothers."
The sophomore receiver feels the same way.
"That Turner connection, it means something to me," he said. "Just the fact that I'm playing with somebody with the same last name as me, it just makes me feel better. It just feels good."
Turner's relationship with his quarterback and his other teammates is just one of the attributes that makes UConn football a special program. Â
"We're all so close on the team," Turner said. "I could go to any of these guys and ask them for a favor or just to hang out. This team is very close and very tight-knit. That's why we're very special."
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