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| Desmond Morgan (#44) |
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 227 lbs.
High school: Holland (MI) West Ottawa
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #44
Last year: I ranked Morgan #78 and said he would be a special teamer. He started seven games at weakside linebacker, making 63 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery.
It took a pretty odd confluence of events for Desmond Morgan to usurp the starting weakside linebacker job in 2011, but that's exactly what happened. Let's go through those events:
- Game one starter Brandon Herron, who returned 1 interception and 1 fumble for touchdowns, hurt his quadriceps
- His presumed replacement, Brandin Hawthorne, started five games but played his way into the doghouse
- Fifth year senior Marell Evans couldn't get approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse after transferring from Hampton
- Fellow freshman Antonio Poole redshirted
Four other guys were vying for that starting spot, most of whom were more experienced. But Morgan took over by the second half of the season and didn't relinquish his spot. That's a pretty good accomplishment for a pretty lightly regarded recruit.
With Herron and Evans gone, Poole potentially out for the year with a biceps pectoral injury, and only Hawthorne as a returning competitor, it looks as if Morgan will hold onto the starting job as a sophomore. Morgan isn't particularly fast and could cede some snaps to Hawthorne in passing situations, but #44 is very solid against the run because of his instincts and physicality. Between Morgan, Joe Bolden, and James Ross - not to mention Poole - the inside linebacker positions are very well stocked for the next few years. It will be interesting to see if Morgan makes the move to MIKE linebacker for the 2012 season or if Bolden takes over there.
Prediction: Starting weakside linebacker; 80 tackles, 3 sacks
small correction: Poole has a pectoral injury, not biceps.
ReplyDeleteI've liked Morgan's athleticism ever since I saw his film as a HUGE high school QB. I don't expect Hawthorne to usurp Morgan's spot this year (ie I doubt he got that much better from midway through last year), but I think Morgan might feel some heat from incoming freshman James Ross. The coaches have shown they aren't afraid to play true frosh at LB, so I think Ross might get a shot, especially because he has a higher ceiling than Morgan.
Marrell Evans mention. Drink!
ReplyDeleteBut Hawthorn was such a monster against 3rd stringers at the Spring Game! The dude does have some moments when he looks great, and other moments when he forgets he has coverage responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteYup, as somebody around here keeps reminding us over and over and over and over ..... former high school QBs have an edge, plus they tend to be handsome and have real good singing voices.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute .............. Glee Club.
What is the procedure to get a medical redshirt, and will Poole be eligible?
ReplyDeleteIf Poole misses the entire season, he'll be able to get a redshirt. If he plays a single down after the first third of the season (say, game 5 or 8 or 11), he would not be eligible.
DeleteThunder, what is your opinion on Poole if he was healthy? Would be be a solid contributor that would make the two deep? If so, I'm intrigued of the fact that he could be a sixth year senior down the road
DeleteI like Poole. I think he still might be a year or two away from being good, but I don't think a sixth year is in the cards. Repeated injuries/illnesses are usually the way to get a sixth year. Poole redshirted last year because he was a freshman, not because he was injured. He still has three years of eligibility left after this season, so it's very unlikely.
DeleteMattison definitely liked something about Morgan from day 1. I suspect they like his instincts and willingness to be an aggressive hitter. When the BTN crew came to camp last fall, it was clear from the panel comments that the coaches were gushing to them about Morgan behind the scenes. I have heard that the coaches see him as a future All Big 10 type. I see Morgan, Bolden, and Ross as forming a nice ILB rotation. It has been a while since UM has had good back-up ILB's, let alone starters. Morgan may not be an NFL prototype, but he is athletic enough to where he can be effective.
ReplyDelete