Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
O-line transfer Turnetine eager to help ’Noles
When Jazston Turnetine decided to wrap up his college football career after five seasons at South Carolina, the redshirt offensive lineman entered his name into the transfer portal in search of a new home. While the process was hectic, Turnetine eventually found a perfect fit at Florida State.
“In the process of being in your final year of college football,” Turnetine said, “you look for the people who are paying attention to details, who are telling you, ‘Hey, these are your problems and this is how we’re going to fix it.’ ”
The 6-foot-7, 335-pound Turnetine isn’t interested in all the glitz and glamour that can sometimes entice a young recruit toward a school.
“When you’re older, it’s like, ‘What is this coach’s background? What does he have to offer to me? Where are the NFL connections? Where’s the more experience?’ ” he said. “When
you’re older, you’re into your craft more. You’re paying attention to the details. You’re looking for lifelong friends, not just football. It’s not just a football life when you’re older.”
After appearing in 18 games at left tackle with the Gamecocks from 2020-21, Turnetine hopes to bring experience and depth to FSU’s roster. It’s a roster that’s undergone tremendous change since the arrival of coach Mike Norvell, particularly on the offensive line, where the Seminoles have retooled with a mix of newcomers and veterans.
Turnetine is the fourth offensive line transfer to join the team this offseason, along with Bless Harris (Lamar), Kayden Lyles (Wisconsin) and D’Mitri Emmanuel (Charlotte). The four participated in 3,273 offensive plays combined at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) over the past three seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.
FSU already returns four starters: Robert Scott Jr., Dillan Gibbons, Maurice Smith and Darius Washington.
“There’s a lot of talent and potential in there [offensive line],” Turnetine said. “It made me happy that I was welcomed with no problem, no hassle. In college football, when you transfer from a different school, you have to earn your way and earn respect because you’re a new guy.
“At this point, I’m just trying to gain the respect of the room.”
Turnetine is confident he’ll adapt quickly to the Seminoles’ offensive plan because it’s just a matter of learning a different terminology. His focus this summer and into fall camp is working with FSU offensive line coach Alex Atkins on improving his game, where he cites run blocking as one of his strengths and pass protection as an area seeking improvement.
“Coach Atkins has different theories and tools to properly coach pass protection at its finest,” Turnetine said. “That’s what I need. That’s what brought me to Tallahassee. It was just his love of attention to detail from him. He has so many different tools and methods to do one job. It’s kind of like, ‘Here’s the tool shed, do what you want to do.’ ”
He credits his time in the SEC as helping him learn from his mistakes.
“Coming into the SEC, it was just strength, strength, speed, power,” Turnetine explained. “It forces you to grow faster, learn faster, and adapt faster; if you don’t, you fall and crumble.”
This move also reunites him with former South Carolina safety Jammie Robinson, who transferred to Florida State last season. Robinson finished as the team’s leading tackler (85 tackles) while leading the team with four interceptions.
“Jammie is a ball of energy,” Turnetine said. “When I got here, he showed me the ropes and who to stick by. He’s smaller than me, but he’s taken me under his wing.”
For Turnetine, the move to Tallahassee comes down to a simple factor.
“I’m here for the people. I’m not here out of selfish aspects,” he said. “I’m here for the people because these are your teammates, your brothers, the people you’re fighting with this fall.”