University of Minnesota Athletics

2026 Football Roster

Turner_A.J.
Jersey Number 2

A.J. Turner

  • Position:
    RB
  • Ht./Wt.:
    6-0 / 195
  • Hometown:
    Hampton, Va.
  • High School:
    Life Christian Academy
  • Prev School:
    Marshall
  • Years in College / At Minnesota:
    5 / 2
  • Letters:
    1
  • Class:
    Redshirt Senior
PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
All-SBC Second Team Running Back (2024)

OVERVIEW: Enrolled at Minnesota in January 2025 • spent the previous three seasons (2022-24) at Marshall where he was an All-SBC Second Team Running Back in 2024. 

2025: Played in three games before suffering a season-ending injury • rushed 16 times for 64 yards and one touchdown. Game-by-Game: Made his Minnesota debut against Buffalo and rushed six times for 16 yards • carried the ball six times for 33 yards and one touchdown against Northwestern State • rushed four times for 15 yards at Cal before leaving the game with an injury. 

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Spent three seasons - including a redshirt year - at Marshall where he played in 22 games and rushed 127 times for 984 yards and six touchdowns • also caught 13 passes for 94 yards and three touchdowns • in 2024, rushed 104 times for 864 yards and six touchdowns, while also catching eight passes for 68 yards and two scores • had two touchdown runs of more than 80 yards and had four 100-yard rushing games • in 2023, redshirted • played in three games and carried the ball six times for 20 yards and also returned three kicks for 32 yards • in 2022, played in eight games, seeing offense and on special teams • rushed 17 times for 100 yards and made four catches for 21 yards and one touchdown.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Life Christian Academy as a senior and junior after attending Phoebus High School • played both running back and safety • rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports.

PERSONAL: Son of Anthony Turner Sr. and Sequita Harris • has three brothers (Robert Smith, Patrick Hayes and Aaron Turner) and one sister (Rihanna Turner).
Winter Agility Testing
Wednesday, March 04
Gopher Football at the Barn
Wednesday, February 18
Speed is Strength | Winter Workouts
Tuesday, February 17
Winter Workouts Week Two
Monday, February 09