Receiver KaVontae Turpin made a name for himself during the 2022 USFL season, winning the league MVP for the New Jersey Generals. That performance helped get him a contract with the Dallas Cowboys and with it, his first NFL Training Camp. And judging by his performance in Saturday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Turpin will be staying in Dallas for a while.
The Chargers got on the board first on a 22-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins. That lead, however, was short-lived. On the ensuing kickoff, Turpin went 98 yards for the touchdown.
98 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 🏠 @KaVontaeTurpin
📺: #DALvsLAC on @NFLNetwork (check local listings)
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mnJpjKDBN0 pic.twitter.com/9IKt8SHEUr— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2022
But he wasn’t done there.
In the final minute of the first half, the Chargers were forced to punt. JK Scott got off a booming punt, which Turpin fielded at his own 14-yard line. He made the first man miss, shifted his way through some additional traffic, then was off to the races. With only the punter to beat, Turpin sprinted to the end zone for his second house call of the half.
KaVontae Turpin does it again!
He now has a kick and punt return for a TD 😱 @KaVontaeTurpin
📺: #DALvsLAC on @NFLNetwork (check local listings)
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mnJpjKDBN0 pic.twitter.com/wLs6qw3f1P— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2022
If you want to make a name for yourself, that’s a pretty good way to do it. And the NFL world took notice of Turpin’s otherworldly performance.
Turpin is a CANNON!!!!!!!!!
— Skywalker Steele (@SkywalkerSteele) August 21, 2022
KaVontae Turpin are you kidding me?!?!
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) August 21, 2022
Alright, yeah. Put Turpin in a ballcap. He's on the team.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) August 21, 2022
Turpin on 53 ! Periodt
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) August 21, 2022
KeVontae Turpin, roster lock. A kickoff return for a TD, a punt return for a TD.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 21, 2022
Turpin has to be done for the month of August. And extend him while you're at it. All I'm saying.
Just toss at least one more year on that table.
GOOD GOD MAN #COWBOYS
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 21, 2022
KaVontae Turpin to the Hall of Fame.
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) August 21, 2022
Not to overreact, but KaVontae Turpin might be the greatest returner in NFL history
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) August 21, 2022
Cowboys haven't had a punter returner this electrifying since Deion Sanders.
Turpin goes 86 yards to the house. The moves, the cuts, the speed. It's all there— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 21, 2022
Turpin also had one carry for seven yards. While special teams will certainly be his ticket onto the roster, Turpin’s speed will also make him a potential weapon for select plays on offense, as well.
[NFL on Twitter]
