Texas Lands 2026 OT John Turntine: A Commitment Built on Trust, Development, and Family
The Texas Longhorns have landed a cornerstone piece for their 2026 offensive line class in John Turntine. From the beginning, Turntine’s recruitment was defined by relationships — especially the one he built with offensive line coach Kyle Flood. But what made this commitment even more meaningful was that it went beyond football.
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Turntine made several visits to campus over the past year, including Junior Day and a game day experience. But it was his decision to attend Texas summer camps last year that revealed his character, and indicated the relationship that would put this one over the finish line for Texas.
“I just wanted to come and learn under Coach Flood,” Turntine said at the time. “It was important for me to see how he coaches, how he teaches, and how he develops players — because that’s who I’d be playing for. I wanted to learn from him firsthand.”
The Texas staff returned that effort with genuine care. During the season, as Turntine worked on reshaping his body, he stayed in contact with Flood and strength coach Torre Becton.
“They told me not to stress about my weight,” he said. “They weren’t worried about that. They just said they’d have a proper plan in place when I got to campus. That stuck with me — they were already helping me, even though I wasn’t committed yet. That built a lot of trust.”
That trust only deepened. Coach Flood made an in-home visit, and during the official visit, the plan was laid out with clarity and precision. No hype, no overselling — just the truth.
As Turntine’s father put it: “Texas did the damn thing. The plan was immaculate. They approached my son the right way — they didn’t over-recruit him. Everything was just right.”
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But for Turntine, the decision wasn’t just about football.
“Academically, Texas is at the top,” he said. “They prepare you on and off the field — whether I end up playing football long-term, being a doctor, practicing medicine, or working in the medical field. Texas has one of the best education advantages, and having a hospital right on campus makes a big difference. It’s the complete package.”
Turntine also mentioned the importance of family in his decision. His sister recently graduated from the University of Texas, and two other siblings currently attend Huston-Tillotson University — also located in Austin. Staying close to them made Austin feel even more like home.
Chris Gilbert was instrumental behind the scenes, helping solidify the connection between Turntine’s family and the Texas program. Now, Turntine becomes a foundational piece for the Longhorns’ offensive future — a hard worker, a student of the game, and a young man who values growth on every level.
The foundation was laid long ago — and now it’s official. Texas is getting more than just a player. They’re getting a future leader, molded by a staff that cared before the commitment ever came.
Turntine is ranked as the No. 43 overall prospect, the No. 2 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 4 player in Texas in the Rivals Industry Ranking.
