Friday football roundup: Navy WR Turner returns, Army and Air Force camp updates, vet takes field for Clemson, more

Brandon Turner reels in a pass during the Navy-Western Kentucky game last September. Turner, who rejoined the Mids at practice Thursday after passing his academy fitness test, started in four games at wideout for Navy last season. (US Presswire photo by Jamie Rhodes)

Five quick hits as football season draws ever closer — you could almost count the days:

1. Turner passes PRT. Bill Wagner at The (Annapolis, Md.) Capital reports Navy senior wideout Brandon Turner returned to the practice field Thursday after passing the academy’s physical readiness test. Linebacker Josh Tate and cornerback Albrey Felder failed the PRT again but will be allowed another attempt, Wagner reported, though there’s no date set. Expect Turner to reappear on the team’s next depth chart.

2. Filling the gaps. Speaking of the Navy depth chart, the current version has a unique feature in the bottom left corner — a string of six placekickers, none of whom have claimed the starting job. The Washington Post outlines Navy’s critical special-teams issue here, and check out more from Wagner here on another position of concern — defensive end.

3. Camp updates. While we’re speeding around the preseason links, here’s two to bookmark: Sal Interdonato’s Inside Army Football blog and Frank Schwab’s gazette.com Air Force posts. Good news for Air Force faithful — the post-practice player gag order was lifted shortly after it began.

4. Big East boss. New commissioner Mike Aresco sits down for a lengthy interview here. Few surprises, as the former CBS executive stresses the importance of TV deals. Not mentioned: Navy. Briefly mentioned: Army, if you count a piece of leadership advice from Mike Krzyzewski.

5. Veteran’s next step. The Washington Post offers this slide show on former Army Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez, who is realizing his dream to play big-time college football at Clemson. Want more on his long, strange trip, plus some handy workout tips? Click over to our coverage on the PT365 blog.