St. Francis' Turner set to introduce self

There's a new running back in La Cañada Flintridge. His name is Devyn Turner.

“He's going to be special,” St. Francis football coach Dean Herrington said.

Turner is a senior transfer from Texas powerhouse Allen High, where he rushed for 1,046 yards and 18 touchdowns on a squad that finished 11-3 last year. Turner carried the ball 122 times in 12 games and rushed for more than 100 yards four times.

Herrington told the Daily News that Turner enrolled on July 7, which means the speedster hasn't been in Southern California for long. But there's one thing he likes already.

“I love the weather,” he said, smiling.

Turner is 5-foot-9, 185 pounds and can do it all.

“I can make you miss, I can cut and go, I can catch. I can do it all,” Turner said confidently. “I can even play slot wide receiver.”

Herrington, who's entering his second year at the helm at St. Francis, said Turner is dynamic and versatile. He's being recruited by top college programs such as Washington State, UNLV, Oregon and Colorado.

Turner will help the Golden Knights replace Max Garrison, who scored 30 rushing touchdowns and rushed for 1,793 yards last season. Garrison is now at San Diego State.

Running backs to watch

DIJON STANLEY, GRANADA HILLS, SR. (UTAH COMMIT) >>

Stanley is the area's best athlete. That evident after what he did on the football field and on the track last year. The City Section champion sprinter in the 200 meters, 400 and relay

is back for more this fall. Stanley played in just four games last year, but racked up 409 yards and seven scores. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound do-it-all back is committed to Utah. JOHNNY THOMPSON JR., OAKS

CHRISTIAN, SR. >> Thompson is one of the best tailbacks in California. The make-youmiss-in-a-phone-booth talent holds offers from USC, Oregon, Indiana, Utah and San Diego State. Thompson rushed for 929 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. TERRELL COOKS JR., SIERRA

CANYON, JR. >> Cooks might be the fastest back in the area after recording a time of 4.38 seconds in the 40yard dash during the summer at a camp. He's dynamic and can line up as a slot receiver, too. Cooks is a threestar recruit with offers from Arizona State, Florida State, Michigan and Georgia. He rushed for 626 yards last season. BRANDON JOHNSON, HIGHLAND, SR. (ARIZONA) >> It's difficult to get love when you play in the High Desert, but Brandon Johnson is so good, everyone knows about him. The Arizona-bound tailback rushed for 1,580 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2021 en route to being named the Golden League MVP. CALEB ALVARY, SIMI VALLEY,

SR. >> Alvary is a great combination of speed and strength, and a key reason Simi Valley went 10-0 last season. Alvary rushed for 1,302 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also ran for more than 100 yards in six games in 2021.

Others to watch

King Miller, Calabasas, Sr.; Jeremiah Claiborne, Alemany, Sr.; Paden White, Alemany, Jr.; Vinny Gallagher, Saugus, Sr.; Jaylin Burt, North Hollywood, So.; Quincy Holland, Moorpark, Sr.; Donovan Powell, Cleveland, Jr.; Logan Everett, Village Christian, Sr.