Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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2016 RECRUITING ISSUE BY LOU SOMOGYI Deundray Jimore Morgan, known as D.J. to all, doesn't turn 18 until this April, but he's had an adult perspec‑ tive since the day his best friend, David Aguilar, died at age 8 in a vehicular accident. They grew up as the closest of chums while their families were neighbors. "I was in apartment 31, and he was in apartment 32. We went to the same school, played outside all the time, he was my best friend," Morgan recalled of the January 2007 tragedy. "Life is very short, and you never know when you might see a person the last time. "It helps me when I go out on the field every Friday — and now Satur‑ days — to just give all to the best of my ability because I know that's what he would want. He was a very energetic kid." He also was the reason why even though Morgan had privately commit‑ ted to the Notre Dame coaches during his official visit for the season opener versus Texas Sept. 5, he didn't make it public until Sept. 27 — the day Aguilar would have turned 18. Meanwhile, 27 also is the jersey number that he donned at powerful St. John's Bosco in Bellflower, Calif. Bosco compiled a 41‑3 record during Mor‑ gan's three varsity seasons against the nation's premier competition, which A Tragic Early Loss Propels D.J. Morgan Morgan's size and skills have drawn comparisons to current Notre Dame sophomore safety Drue Tranquill. PHOTO BY ANDREW IVINS