Mounds View's nimble lineman Turner getting noticed

His father and older brother starred at running back and wide receiver, respectively, so it is no wonder Mounds View offensive lineman Billy Turner prides himself on his footwork.

College programs are taking notice of Turner, a 6-5, 288-pound senior offensive tackle at Mounds View. Though overshadowed by outstanding linemen at other schools -- such as Seantrel Henderson (Cretin-Derham Hall), Jimmy Gjere (Irondale) and Tommy Olson (Mahtomedi) -- Turner is a vital cog in Mounds View's run-oriented attack and a rising prospect.

"Every week it seems another school is making contact with me or coach [Jim] Galvin and talking about making an offer," Turner said.

Among the suitors for Turner's services are North Dakota State, which made an offer early this summer, North Dakota, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, South Dakota and South Dakota State.

Turner participated in five or six camps during the summer and impressed with his pass-blocking abilities. With Turner leading the way, the run-heavy Mustangs did not allow a sack last season.

"The camps went well," Turner said. "I've been told that they are really just looking for raw ability. And I'm still growing taller and wider and getting stronger."

His father, Maurice Sr., played running back at Utah State and spent time with the Vikings. Maurice Jr., a favorite target of now Gophers quarterback Adam Weber while the pair played at Mounds View, is a junior wide receiver at Northern Iowa.

"I think his strength is his pass blocking," Galvin said. "But he leads sweeps to the far side and makes blocks downfield. That's not easy for a 290-pound kid to do. You have to want to do that."

Other recruiting notes:

• Jaime Birr, a former girls' basketball standout at Holy Angels, will play at Coker College in South Carolina.

• Burnsville senior guard Rachael Moen verbally committed to play basketball at St. Cloud State.

• Wayzata defensive end Tobi Okuyemi has been contacted by Kansas, a blast from his past. Wayzata assistant football coach Ryan Johnson said Okuyemi lived in Kansas from age 2 to 13 and is a huge Jayhawks fan.

He already is considering offers from Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin.

The Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame will induct five coaches at its banquet Nov. 1 at the Doubletree Park Place Hotel in St. Louis Park: Dale Champ of Elbow Lake-Wendell, Hib Hill of Robbinsdale, Louis Mitteco of Totino-Grace, Randy Taylor of Martin County West and Dave Vanderwerf of Dawson-Boyd.

In addition, Chisholm's Bob McDonald will be recognized for reaching the 900-victory mark and the Star Tribune's John Millea will be presented with the MBCA Ambassador of Basketball Award.

• St. Thomas Academy will induct its second class into its athletic hall of fame on Oct. 9: Andrew (Buster) Brown, John Horan, Dennis Monahan, John (Jack) O'Brien and Richard Swenson.

Cambridge-Isanti's cross-country team will once again hold its Homecoming day run from the football team opponent's school to its field. On Friday, runners will leave Zimmerman High School around noon, cover the approximately 30 miles and run onto the field for the start of the 7 p.m. game.