COLUMBUS, Ohio --- North Carolina senior guardhas been named the winner of the 2015 Jim Parker Award presented by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. The award, named for the late Ohio State football legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Parker, is presented annually to college football's top offensive lineman.

The 6-4, 325-pound lineman led a balanced Tar Heel offense that averaged nearly 500 yards and more than 40 points per game in 2015. Turner is the first player from the ACC to ever win the award which was first presented by the TDC in 1991.

A preseason first-team All-America and midseason first-team All-America, Turner was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week four times (more than any other player in the league) and recently picked up first-team All-ACC honors from ACSMA. He has graded out at 90 percent in 10 of 12 games this season, including a career-best 95 percent grade against Virginia.

Turner is a senior leader on an offensive unit that is ranked 11th in scoring offense, 16th in total offense and 18th in rushing offense. Behind Turner, Carolina has had 11 100-yard rushers this season, which is more than the total from the last two seasons combined.

Carolina has allowed just 12 sacks this season, which leads the ACC and 8th in the country, and the offensive line has paved the way for Elijah Hood to rush for 1,280 yards, the third-highest single-season total in school history. The Tar Heels lead the ACC in scoring offense, are second in total offense and rushing offense, and are third in passing offense.

The Jim Parker Award will be presented on Saturday, February 6, 2016 during the 61st Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion. For additional information, visit www.tdccolumbus.com.