The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. LSU center Charles Turner III plans on taking full advantage. Turner recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Turner also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, playing multiple positions, using length and athleticism to his advantage, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Turner better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Charles Turner III: I was sitting on the couch in Baton Rouge in my apartment when I found out about my invite. It was a joy. A wave of joy overcame me when I realized I was going to receive the opportunity to compete in this year’s Senior Bowl.
It’s a great chance for me to showcase my abilities at a high level. Everybody in attendance is going to be just as talented, if not even more talented, than I am. It’s a blessing. I’m very excited.
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Charles Turner III: It was all about my desire to compete at the highest level imaginable. I just want to be the ultimate competitor. I accept every opportunity to compete. I’m never going to walk away from a challenge like the one the Senior Bowl presents. That’s what went through my head when I accepted the invite.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Charles Turner III: I want to prove that I belong at the next level. I can play NFL football. I want to showcase my abilities. I want the scouts to walk away saying Charles Turner III can play at the NFL level.
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Charles Turner III: I would say I’m a quick-twitched interior blocker. I’m extremely mobile. I need to get better at the point of attack, but I do a great job making up for it by having great length and being flexible.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL lineman, who would you choose and why?
Charles Turner III: I’m going to give you a throwback name if that’s alright with you. I’d choose one of the Pouncey brothers. Maurkice Pouncey comes to mind. The Pouncey brothers were longer-armed offensive linemen. They played the center position with terrific length. I feel like I’m cut from that same cloth.
JM: I love that comparison. You’ve spent most of your time at center, but you’ve played a little guard and tackle, too. I assume center is your preference?
Charles Turner III: That’s correct. Center is my preference, but I’m versatile. I can play guard and tackle as needed. Center is my preferred position though. That’s where I expect to spend the majority of my time at the next level.
JM: You talked about length. How do you utilize length to your advantage on a snap-by-snap basis?
Charles Turner III: My length helps me win the hand leverage battle. I can always get my hands in the right position because my length affords me a lot of rope. I can always get my hands in the right position before my opponent can. That length helps me a lot in pass pro, and in the run game as well. My opponent might have a slightly bigger frame than I do, but I’m probably quicker and longer than he is. I can snatch him up and get my hands on him faster than he can get his hands on me.
JM: That length goes a long way. What’s on Charles Turner’s pre-game playlist?
Charles Turner III: G Herbo comes first and foremost. I have a little bit of Rio Da Yung OG on there. I’m very versatile. I listen to all types of music. I would have to say G Herbo for sure. That's my go-to. Babyface Ray and RMC Mike are also on the playlist.
JM: At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Charles Turner III?
Charles Turner III: A successful Senior Bowl means I stayed healthy. That’s always the first thing. Number two means I competed to the absolute best of my ability. I left it all out there on the field. I want to be recognized as one of the hardest competitors in Mobile. That’s what I’m shooting for. It’s exactly what I’m going to do.
