Former Coffee Trojan Maurice Turner is leaving the Derby City for the Big Easy. Friday, Turner announced his intention to enroll at Tulane University for his final two years of eligibility.
Turner has spent the last three seasons with the Louisville Cardinals, where he never really had the breakout season Louisville fans were expecting. He was set to be the focus of the Cardinals’ running back room for 2024 but an early season ankle injury kept him off the field for eight straight games. He did see some game action late in the season but in a limited role.
In 2022, Turner, then a true freshman, torched the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park. He led Louisville with 160 yards on 31 carries against the Bearcats. In 2023, he played in all 14 games and scored his first career touchdown on a two-yard run against Indiana. Turner also led Louisville with 12 carries for 81 yards in a loss against Pitt.
During his career, Turner has 154 carries for 734 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also caught 24 passes for 167 yards. In all, Turner has played 365 career snaps.
Tulane’s stable of running backs hit the transfer portal after the 2024 season, leaving their running back depleted and very much in question. Turner will be a welcome addition to the Green Wave offense and the announcement of his intention to join the team has generated some excitement among the Tulane fan base.
Tulane plays in the American Athletic Conference. This year, the Green Wave finished 9-5 overall (7-1 in conference play) and faced Army in the AAC championship game. Army won 35-14. Tulane played the Florida Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa on December 20. Florida won 33-8.
Louisville finished the season 9-4 and defeated Washington 35-34 in the Sun Bowl in El Paso on December 31.