KaVontae Turpin had shown this educational career in electric power at TCU over 3 years ago. He had again shown his rare skill this spring in the USFL in his crusade as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
And on Saturday night, with a 98-yard kickback landing followed by an 86-yard kickback back landing, Turpin proved it again: It’s a valid risk at the current stage.
Turpin’s functionality in the 32-18 win over the Chargers likely cemented his position on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster.
“I have the center of a lion,” Turpin told CBS in a secondary interview. “So I just have to use my speed, use my God-given ability to my advantage. “
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Dang, do two TD special groups for KaVontae Turpin tonight. This 86-yard TD kick backs off after a 98-yard TD kick. Velocidad. Insaisissable. Et soon, a 53-man roster position from the Cowboys. pic. twitter. com/kMu6GhioFG
Turpin had controlled the returns in the Cowboys’ preseason debut last week. He returned two kickoffs for a combined 47 yards (25 and 22 yards), returned a clearance kick for 10 yards and caught two passes for a combined 12-yard lead. really comfortable” in this contest, “so this week of training, I felt very comfortable,” Turpin said.
Showed.
Turpin’s first touch came with 6:17 to play in the first quarter, when he hit the Chargers’ Dustin Hopkins at the Cowboys’ 2-yard line. Then, Turpin left. He ran straight into the middle of the field, relying on his speed and blockers as he flanked a mass of defenders.
“He has daylight ahead of him,” the NFL Network screen said after Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon neutralized the last likely risk for Turpin by falling down the direct sideline. Less than 12 seconds after catching up, Turpin achieved the goal. zone.
KaVontae Turpin, 98-yard kickback (?: @nfl) pic. twitter. com/Y8Q7X1Mvca
A smile is on the face of head coach Mike McCarthy. Teammates invaded Turpin.
But Turpin wasn’t done.
With just over a minute to play in the first half, the Chargers faced the fourth and fourth at their 32-yard line and opted to throw. Turpin queues to receive. He put this one on the opponent’s 14-meter line and jumped to leave Chargers rookie defensive back Deane Leonard mendacity on the ground. Then he continued his zigzag, Turpin’s balance in traffic beliving the nearby defenders. Turpin crossed the 50-yard line. Kicker J. K. Scott admirably followed Turpin into Cowboys territory before the gun’s 5-7, 158-pound speed brought him home.
After his performance, Turpin paid tribute to former TCU teammate Jeff Gladney. Gladney, the Vikings’ first-round pick in 2020 and then a Cardinals player, has died at age 25 in a twist of automotive fate in May.
“I feel like my son Jeff Gladney is chasing me, man,” Turpin said. “They were his favourite team, so I feel like they’re smiling at me in my pre-season play moment. I’m just satisfied with that.
In an electric TD evening, Cowboys WR KaVontae Turpin remembers his TCU teammate Jeff Gladney. Gladney 25 when he died in a twist of automotive fate in May. “He despised me,” Turpin said in the broadcast. I feel like he’s smiling at me. ” pic. twitter. com/Rh8xAuSOPz
Turpin knew he was facing an uphill war when the Cowboys signed him on July 28, his first chance at an NFL education camp came nearly 4 years after his last school game. His on-field functionality at TCU had an impact: Turpin hit 145 passes for 1,748 yards and thirteen touchdowns; he rushed for 318 yards and two touchdowns; and added another six scores at the time. But TCU fired him midway through the 2018 season after he was arrested for attack. Turpin pleaded guilty in 2019 to attacking and causing physical harm. He earned a two-year deferred parole in 2019, according to The Dallas Morning News, and sentenced to a 27-week domestic violence intervention program.
“The categories helped me,” he said last month after signing with the Cowboys. “I learned my duty and my consequences. I just can’t wait, put on, and I can’t wait to become a bigger guy now. “
He returned to professional soccer last fall with the fan-controlled soccer league, and then played this spring in the nascent USFL. Turpin’s 921 yards of flexibility, adding 540 receiving yards, in the league earned him MVP honors. He also posted a 71-yard league kickback in the regular season and a 78-yard kickback in the playoffs. The Cowboys were delighted.
The Cowboys are bringing in WR Kavontae Turpin and plan to mark the 2022 USFL MVP, a source confirms to @usatodaysports. Turpin led the USFL with 540 receiving yards (921 in total use) while showing an elusiveness like this: pic. twitter. com/1S8lnPV7Ro
“When you look at the tape, what is obvious is that it’s dynamic with the ball in hand,” McCarthy said. traits, I think from an offensive point of view. So again, I think this is a very smart opportunity and I’ve been talking about it for a while.
The threat from Turpin’s special groups was revealed at a fortuitous moment for the Cowboys, whose reshaped roster dictated a new comeback plan. Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Cedrick Wilson shared responsibilities for returning from transparency last year. But Lamb’s elevation to the top sensible receiver now makes him too valuable to threaten setbacks, while Wilson signed with Miami in the flexible agency. a fall on the back.
Turpin believed he could return from his arrival at the cowboy camp. He tried to turn out that he could also give a contribution as a receiver.
“Changing the guy, that’s what I do,” Turpin said. “I’m a specialized guy. I am here to show everyone that I am a genuine receiver. Special teams, that’s what I do, I can wake up and do that. I am here to show everyone that I am a genuine receiver.
Turpin scored nine yards on a shooting sweep against the Chargers, but retired from the game after his touchdown moment. His gang is probably already enough for the imminent resolution of the Cowboys’ roster.
“Speed kills,” Turpin said in a recent training. It’s an advantage for me.
He reiterated Saturday night, “It’s a blessing to be here. “
Follow Jori Epstein of USA TODAY Sports on Twitter @JoriEpstein.