Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/259072
NYLESMORGAN INSIDE LINEBACKER 6-2 · 223 CRETE-MONEE H.S. CRETE, ILL. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 98 3 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 72 5 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 72 5 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 34 3 2 MEASURABLES • Runs a 4.79 in the 40-yard dash and a 4.34 in the 20-yard shuttle. STATISTICS • As a senior, he had 100 stops, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception, and scored one defensive touchdown. • During his junior season, he recorded 140 tack- les, 18 stops for loss, four sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. • Team was 40-2 in his three seasons as a starter and won the 6A state title in his junior campaign. HONORS • Selected as an All-USA first-team linebacker by USA Today. • Named to the Chicago Tribune's all-state first team following both his junior and senior seasons. • Selected to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association 6A All-State team as a senior. • Tabbed as the Northwest Indiana Times Defen- sive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. • Chosen for Chicago Sun-Times all-area squad as a senior. • After his junior and senior seasons, was listed first-team all-area by both the Southtown Star and Northwest Indiana Times. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Participated in Nike's "The Opening" Camp last June in Beaverton, Ore. • Played in the U.S. Army All-American Game Jan. 4 in San Antonio, and had three tackles and one tackle for loss. RECRUITMENT • Offered by Notre Dame on May 30, 2012, and committed on Jan. 4, 2014. • Chose the Irish over Florida (officially visited), Ole Miss (officially visited) and Vanderbilt. • Primary recruiter at Notre Dame was former of- fensive coordinator Chuck Martin. • Official visit to South Bend was on Oct. 19, 2013, for the game against USC. • Took unofficial visits to Notre Dame on June 22, 2012, Sept. 22, 2012, Nov. 23, 2013, and Nov. 27, 2013. NOTABLE • Born on Aug. 16, 1997. • Has a 3.30 cumulative GPA. • His father, Thomas, played football at Western Illinois. 2014 PROJECTION • Expected to compete for immediate playing time during his first year in South Bend. THEY SAID IT Brian Kelly's Comments: "Just got a great nose for the football, plays downhill, plays fast, great instincts, and when he arrives, he arrives with a bad attitude when he gets to the football. He's just that kind of player. Very, very talented. … [He is] an inside guy that certainly has the physical tools to be an exceptional player here at Notre Dame." Tom Lemming Of Prep Football Report: "I've seen him play each of the past three years, and he's impressed me every time. Morgan is a physical, quick and strong inside linebacker. He's an intense kid, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He can also run very well and keep up with running backs out of the backfield."