One of the top rushers in North Carolina college football a season ago will return to the South Atlantic Conference – just with a different team.
LJ Turner, who left Catawba in December to sign with West Virginia, has transferred back to the Division II ranks. He signed with one of Catawba’s chief rivals, Lenoir-Rhyne, earlier this week. Turner was cut by West Virginia along with several other players following spring ball as part of a roster-trimming move by new coach Rich Rodriguez.
Turner rushed for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago for Catawba. He averaged 7.0 yards per attempt for the season and enjoyed a 329-yard, five-touchdown performance in an overtime win over Anderson. He was the only Division II back in the state to eclipse 1,000 yards in 2024.
His presence will enhance an already talented Lenoir-Rhyne offense, which looks to return veteran running back Zayvion Turner-Knox (1,103 career yards and 14 career touchdowns) and seasoned wideout Songa Yates (all-conference in 2024). The Bears won 10 games a year ago, including a D2 playoff win over West Alabama, in Doug Socha’s debut as head coach.
Turner, who entered the portal in April, reported offers from Rhode Island and North Dakota from the FCS ranks, as well as from Valdosta State and Concord among D2 teams.
Turner, who hails from Palm Bay, Fla., made an impact academically during his short stint at West Virginia. He was named one of WVU’s Mountaineer Football Student Athletes of the Week in March.
