Texas A&M University-Commerce's senior defensive end Brandon Turner was recognized by National Football Foundation Gridiron Club of Dallas Chapter as one of nine Collegiate Scholar-Athletes.
Turner carries a 3.33 GPA as a double major in industrial engineering and mathematics and is heavily involved in Student Athlete Advisor Committee.
He was a four-time Lone Star Conference Commissioners Honor Roll member, a five-time Deans List Recipient and a nine-time Athletic Director Honor Roll recipient.
On the gridiron, Turner was a captain his senior season as a member of the team's defensive line unit that paced the NCAA in tackles for loss. He played in 38 games in his four-year career and recorded 73 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. The 2014 Lions won the Lone Star Conference Championship for the first time in 21 years.
"We're excited for Brandon to receive this prestigious honor from the NFF," Texas A&M University-Commerce head football coach Colby Carthel said. "Brandon exemplifies every great quality we look for in a Lion football player. He was not only a great player, but also a team captain, active with community service, and a terrific student."
Selected from a pool of candidates that covers the entire region, the nine collegiate and 57 high school players (listed below) earned NFF chapter scholar-athlete recognition in 2015. The selection committee, comprised of coaches, teachers, administrators and business leaders from North Texas, evaluated the college and high school candidates based on their athletic accomplishments, academic performance and leadership in the community. The high school honorees will enroll in the fall at a prestigious list of institutions, including Ivy League schools, state universities and the service academies.
2015 NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Collegiate Scholar-Athletes
Troy Baker – Baylor
Hayden Greenbauer – SMU
Joey Hunt – TCU
Cyril Lemon – North Texas
Charles Moore – Tarleton State*
Alex Shetter – East Texas Baptist
Tre Stewart – Austin College
Brandon Turner – Texas A&M University-Commerce
Case Winkler – Midwestern State
*2014 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and William V. Campbell Trophy finalist