Tag: interviews

“A couple things come to mind when I think of Chris and the way that he plays: #1 is that he’s versatile, and #2 is that he’s explosive. We used Chris in a variety of different ways. We used him in the traditional tight end position; we also used him in the backfield as the fullback, motioning him around a little bit. And we also split him out wide, going three by one, putting him out there by himself — matching him up against a corner and using his length, his athleticism and his physicality to our advantage.”

“Blocking was critical for us and when he got his hands on you, then you were going the other direction. But what I liked about him was how physical he was. And I think Michigan is going to get a really physical, mature player — right away”

“Growing up, it was always a back and forth situation between my mom’s and my dad’s. I never had a secure place to be; I never really knew who wanted me and who didn’t…I mean, we’ve been homeless and I was sleeping on a washing machine and dryer. I had to take my jeans off and wrap my shoes up in my jeans and use it as a pillow. So life’s been a struggle. And that’s where football came into it….”

“I tore my ACL in early October, and I didn’t have surgery for it until December, because like I said, me and my mom, we struggle. We don’t have a whole bunch of money. So the injury thing wasn’t to the point where I could go get surgery. But I’ve been working out really hard…I came up on the spring game, and I was 295 [lbs]. Right now, I’m 272. Coach wants me to be 280 — no [not any] more than 280. But at the same time, I’m getting stronger. I’m crisp [while] running. My knee that I had surgery on still isn’t 100%, so I go about 80/85%. But talking to Coach, I still have 2 months [before the season starts] to rehab with them. I don’t know, but I’m trying. But if I’m not ready and Coach doesn’t let me play and I got to redshirt, then I got to redshirt. It is what it is. And if it is, well, then I feel sorry for whoever we play next year.”

“Chris understands that he has to go in and earn a position there and find a hole that he can fit into and he can play. I know when Coach Hoke and the staff were here [in Texas], they expressed that they didn’t have many tight ends on the roster. At that spot in particular, they were going to have to have some freshman contribute. I know Chris and the way that he works and his habits on the field are going to put him in a position to contribute right away….”

“We [Chris Bryant, Frank Clark, Justice Hayes] have been talking constantly, like every day, about the things that we’re trying to accomplish. And I told everybody, ‘this is the coaches’ first year; we’re the freshman recruiting class; we’re the first people to come in with them…so it’s really our job to lay down a foundation.”

“What are my greatest weaknesses? I’ll be honest; I have quite a few of them. I’d say my biggest one would be my pass coverage and recognizing when two receivers are crossing, which one is the biggest threat, and [recognizing] which DB needs the most help picking up a guy coming across, things like that. So I’m working on that, getting depth and recognizing the different routes and being able to get underneath, making a play on the ball. In high school, we didn’t have to do that as much, especially with all of the man coverage that we ran. And with line backing, I’d say we were usually more focused on the run. So the biggest thing I’m working on is helping my pass coverage game out.”

“Most of the talks [with the coaching staff] have been playing linebacker. To be honest, I don’t even know which position, as far as one of the linebackers, it will be. But my junior year I played fullback as well; I actually started at fullback. So I kind of understand the fullback position a little bit. But I’m open to anything. At this point, the way I look at it – any position that they need me to play that will allow me to help the team and see the field, I’ll do….My dad had read some of the online stuff, and I think that planted the idea in his mind too, and he said, ‘What do you think about fullback?’ And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ And he said, ‘With the new staff, they might be looking for fullbacks – would you be open to that?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, sure, whatever it takes to get on the field, I’ll do it.'”

During Desmond’s senior year, he didn’t see much/any time at fullback because he was too busy playing quarterback. Yep, if you didn’t already know, he played middle linebacker and quarterback. That’s quite the unusual pairing, but as unusual as it may be, Thunder often writes that playing QB in HS contributes to a player’s overall development and understanding of the game. So I asked Morgan about it.

“I grew to understand offenses a lot better. It helped me to see my keys on the other side of the ball, recognize pass coverages, see pre-snap stuff…but first and foremost I think it’s leadership. Before my junior year I played middle linebacker and was the captain of the defense, I guess, and I understood the leadership role…but I definitely gained a whole new respect for leadership by playing quarterback because I didn’t realize how close the two positions were in regards to leading their sides of the ball. And playing both of them helped me grow into more of a team leader.”

Although Desmond’s days as a QB are almost certainly finished, he should be able to peruse through the offensive playbook at his convenience since he’s rooming with 2011 QB Russell Bellomy. Here’s to Morgan’s success in the winged helmet — be it at linebacker, upback, fullback, quarterback or slot receiver.