CHARLESTON, S.C. -- When Daniel Turpin committed to The Citadel, he made a promise to himself that he intends to keep. In an era defined by constant movement and the allure of the transfer portal, Turpin remains grounded.

"I'm not really a big portal person because once I committed to a school, I wanted to dedicate myself to the school," Turpin said. "I remember my why, the reasons I came here. I was just trying to figure out, 'Why would I leave?' That's a real question that I had asked myself."

For Turpin, loyalty isn't just a word -- it's a guiding principle. The linebacker has watched teammates come and go, but his commitment to The Citadel has only strengthened.

"What's the point of leaving if you're going to start all the way over back at the bottom," he added. "Coming here, I've worked way too much just to go back to the starting line somewhere else."

After battling through an injury his freshman year, Turpin fought his way back onto the field and into a leadership role. Now, as one of the most experienced returners at his position, he's focused on leading the next generation while continuing to grow himself.

"People ask me if I went in the portal, and I'll tell them, 'No, I'll stay here all four years...you know, finish getting my degree, play some ball, all that stuff.' That's what I want to do with my commitment."


Embracing Leadership

With several veterans moving on, Turpin has embraced the responsibility of being the steady presence in the linebacker room.

"Losing the guys that entered the portal, the ones I came in and learned from, who mentored me the past two years, that's tough," Turpin noted. "Mikey [Rosa] was my dog. We were roommates for every away game. They did what they had to do here, then focused on getting bigger. I support their decisions."

Now, it's his turn to lead. "I'm the oldest in the linebacker room," Turpin continued. "I need to step up as a leader. Four freshmen look up to me, and the coaches expect big things from me this year."

That leadership isn't new for the redshirt sophomore — it's something he's carried with him since high school.

"In high school, I started all four years," Turpin recalled. "We had a senior go down, and coach turned to me and was like, 'It's your time to step up. You've got to take over.' Then I just took over, became the leader I needed to be."


Turning Setbacks into Strength

Turpin's journey hasn't been without obstacles. An injury during his freshman season derailed his early momentum, but he used that time to grow mentally.

"My first year here with me getting hurt midseason, I could get in my playbook more, watch a ton more film," Turpin said. "And then I just got to be around [Defensive Coordinator Raleigh] Jackson."

The following spring, everything came together with a slight coaching shift.

"Coach Vance took over as our new linebackers coach," Turpin said. "He broke it down fundamentally, taking us step-by-step. And then that spring, it just catapulted. I just blew up. That's where they saw what I could do, especially when I'm comfortable with what I know and playing confident."

Special teams also became a proving ground under coordinator Tony Coaxum.

"'Coach Coaxum, how can I get on the field? How can I get on the field?' He said, 'Just ball out, do everything correct on special teams your time will come,'" Turpin remembered. "Next thing you know, against North Dakota State, I was a backup. Then Tanner [Johnson] got hurt and my number got called. I blocked, ran down the field, doing everything the correct way. Then he started adding me on more plays...kickoff, attack, score, pride, and it just flowed throughout the season."

That work culminated in a multiple memorable moments on special teams.

"Now I'm out there every time, me and Tanner right next to each other. Both out there making plays. I think I got my first collegiate tackle in game on attack."


 


A Brotherhood Built to Last

Despite roster changes, Turpin believes the team's bond remains stronger than ever.

"I think we're tight as a group, more collectively now," he said. "We spent all summer together, Braylon [Knauth], Nic [Mirabella] and myself, all year round. We're always together. We have that tight bond."

The relationships he's built extend beyond the field.

"I actually met [Maurice Bonneau Jr.] on my official visit here," Turpin remarked. "Then I got to know him. And now I know him more. He's like one of the big brothers to me on the team."

For Turpin and his teammates, there's a shared vision. "Me and Braylon and Nic, we talked about it before. We're going to stay here, graduate, do big things. We're going to do everything we can do here while we're still here."


 
Heavy Impact

The values instilled at The Citadel have shaped Turpin's approach to football and life.

"When, on my first visit, the meeting Coach Drayton and I had, he said, 'We want you here,'" Turpin recalled. "But even prior to me coming to visit, I had it set in my mind. I felt this is the school for me, that they want me and I'm going to commit on their visit."

Once he arrived, those feelings were confirmed. "Once I committed, I got here as soon as I could," he said. "I started making bonds with not just my teammates, but people inside the corps and in my company. I want to be here. This is the school for me. They've taught me the discipline aspect and how to be strict, firm, disciplined. Everything about this school sets you up for the future."



Looking Ahead

With spring practice underway, Turpin sees it as a crucial time for growth.

"Spring practice, it sets you up through the summer and into fall camp," he noted. "Spring practice is where, since you don't have any games, it's just you, the playbook, your coaches and your teammates. It's the time where you can just buy into yourself, buy in, learn your scheme, know your plays, work on your technique."

He's confident that the team is moving in the right direction.

"I believe we can make another jump," Turpin said. "You see the work and people buying in, not to adjust themselves, but to the program as a whole. You see the team working. Friday at 5:30 in the morning, you got 40 guys in the weight room in that first lift group. We're going, we're straining in there. We all put in the work to get bigger, stronger, faster. And then just preparing ourselves to launch forward for that first game."

When younger players come to him for advice about the portal, Turpin keeps it real.

"I'll talk to them, be direct, and ask why they want to hit the portal," he recalled. "'Why do you want to leave?' If they give me an uncertain answer, I'll advise them to reflect, pray and assess their situation. It's important to consider that once you enter the portal, there's no guarantee of being picked up. Even if you do get picked up, you're essentially starting from scratch."

For Turpin, however, staying at The Citadel wasn't just a decision, but a reflection of who he is and plans to become.

"Nothing is handed to you, you have to earn it," he concluded.

And that's exactly what he plans to keep doing.