He can’t catch. He’s not quick enough and the guy’s from a mid-major school.

Though many of these phrases were used to describe former NIU running back Michael Turner, the North Chicago native is about to begin his second season in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers.

“I’ve never doubted my abilities,” Turner said. “I knew I would make it somewhere. We never threw the ball at NIU, but I’m comfortable catching it now.”

Turner is currently No. 2 on the depth chart behind Texas Christian alumnus LaDanian Tomlinson. LT rushed for 1,335 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.

“I’m just taking it a year at a time,” Turner said. “You never know what will happen in the league.”

Turner logged 104 yards on 20 carries last year as a No. 2 and 3 running back and hasn’t lost a pound since leaving NIU. The 5-foot-10 back weighs 237 pounds.

“I’m still a big back in the NFL,” Turner said. “If I could lose some that’d be great. But I’m not really focused on that right now.”

In his rookie year Turner said he was more focused on learning and not so much his lack of playing time.

“There’s a lot of info to grasp at this level,” Turner said. “This second time around I’m feeling comfortable on offense and I’m ready to play.”

Turner will receive most of his playing time on special teams once the Chargers begin the regular season Sept. 11 against the Dallas Cowboys. “Hot sauce” will see time on the punt, punt return, kickoff and kick return teams, but won’t be returning kicks even though he took one back for 18 yards last season.

No. 33, formerly No. 32 at NIU, has forged a good relationship with LT and said the whole team is close.

“I’ll talk to LT all the time about how things should be run and what to expect on the field,” Turner said.

Turner has also stayed in touch with the Huskies and is impressed with NIU starting running back Garrett Wolfe.

“I knew he had the talent,” Turner said. “I didn’t expect him to be so good, so fast, but I hope he keeps it up.”

Wolfe said he stays in touch with Turner and admires him for his work ethic and easy-going personality.

“Mike and I are both laid back,” Wolfe said. “He gave me some confidence and taught me how to be patient. He was always more physically intimidating, but I’m more athletic.”

In the meantime, the man with 4.4 speed is seeing a lot of touches in the preseason, which was what he was used to at NIU.

Turner rushed for 1,738 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior while finishing second in the nation to Charger teammate Darren Sproles. He finished ahead of former Michigan back Chris Perry.

The Chargers last preseason game is Thursday against the San Francisco 49ers where Turner will face his former NIU teammate, wide receiver P.J. Fleck.

However, even with a two day gap, Turner will not be able to make an appearance at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Ann Arbor to watch running back Garret Wolfe and NIU take on Michigan.

The all-time leading rusher said he would catch the game on television, and neglected to make a prediction as to whether NIU would win or lose, or by how much.

“No, I don’t make predictions,” Turner said. “I don’t want to jinx the team.”