Grant Morgan (American football)

Last updated

Grant Morgan
Illinois Fighting Illini
Position:Graduate assistant
Personal information
Born: (1998-01-23) January 23, 1998 (age 26)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school: Greenwood
(Greenwood, Arkansas)
College: Arkansas (2016–2021)
Undrafted: 2022
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • Illinois (2023–present)
    Graduate assistant
Career highlights and awards
Player stats at PFR

Grant Morgan (born January 23, 1998) is an American football coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Originally a preferred walk-on with the team, he was placed on full scholarship in August 2018. He has since been named to multiple All-America and All-SEC teams, and has served as a team captain for the Razorbacks in 2020 and 2021. He has twice been named a Burlsworth Trophy finalist, and signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar in August 2021.

Contents

Early life

Grant Morgan, the son of Matt Morgan and Annie Shaw, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, [1] on January 23, 1998. [2] He was a three-year letterwinner at Greenwood High School, where he was rated the No. 22 prospect in Arkansas and the No. 71 inside linebacker in his class by 247Sports and given an overall three-star rating. [3] During his senior year, he was named Defensive Player of the Year by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Player of the Year by the Southwest Times Record . [4] Greenwood made the second round of the AAA football playoffs in Morgan's junior year and won the state championship in his senior year. [2]

Morgan accepted a position as a preferred walk-on at Arkansas on January 18, 2016, one day after his unofficial visit to the campus. [4] He chose Arkansas over his other interests, Arkansas State, Auburn, Central Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tulsa, though he did not receive offers from any of these schools. [5] Morgan formally enrolled at Arkansas on May 31, 2016. [3]

College career

After redshirting during the 2016 season, Morgan saw the field for the first time in 2017. He appeared in all twelve of the Razorbacks' games, recording at least one tackle in each, and a season-high eight in the last game of the season against Missouri. [2] On August 26, 2018, Morgan was placed on full scholarship alongside two other Arkansas players. [6] In 2018 and 2019, Morgan again made appearances in every game for Arkansas, totaling 24 and 39 tackles, respectively, over the course of each season. [2] Prior to the 2020 season, Morgan was voted one of four team captains by his teammates under new head coach Sam Pittman, [7] and garnered nationwide recognition by the end of the season. He was named a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation [8] and the American Football Coaches Association, [9] and earned third-team All-America honors from college football analyst Phil Steele. [10] Morgan was also named first-team all-SEC by the Associated Press [11] and SEC head coaches, the first Razorback to be named by both since Martrell Spaight in 2014. [2] On August 12, 2021, Arkansas announced that Morgan had signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar. [12] As a senior, Morgan helped Arkansas to an 8–4 regular season, and a bid to the 2022 Outback Bowl against Penn State on New Year's Day. The Razorbacks went on to win the game, 24–10, finishing the 2021 season 9–4 and ranked in the Top 25.

In 2020, Morgan was named a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy – which is given to the best national player who began their college career as a walk-on – alongside Dax Milne and eventual winner Jimmy Morrissey. Morgan was again named a finalist in 2021, alongside Carlton Martial and Stetson Bennett. The trophy ceremony was held at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art on December 6, and Morgan was announced as the winner. [13]

Professional career

Morgan signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2022. [14] He was waived on August 26 and re-signed to the practice squad. [15] [16] He was released off the practice squad on September 12. [17]

Coaching career

In April 2023, Morgan joined the Illinois coaching staff as a graduate assistant. [18]

Personal life

Morgan is the second of seven siblings. He has an older brother – former Arkansas wide receiver Drew Morgan – in addition to four younger sisters and a younger brother. [2] Morgan graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology, and again in 2020 with a Master of Science in operations management. [2] On January 4, 2020, Morgan married his longtime girlfriend, Sydnie, an Arkansas Tech softball player. [19] [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkansas Razorbacks</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Arkansas

The Arkansas Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the intercollegiate athletics teams representing the University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville. The University of Arkansas student body voted to change the name of the school mascot in 1910 to the Arkansas Razorbacks after a hard-fought battle against LSU in which they were said to play like a "wild band of Razorback hogs" by former coach Hugo Bezdek. The Arkansas Razorbacks are the only major sports team in the U.S. with a porcine nickname, though the Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas play in Division II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bret Bielema</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Bret Arnold Bielema is an American football coach. He is the head football coach at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a position he has held since the 2021 season. Bielema served as the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 2006 to 2012, achieving a 68–24 record and taking them to three straight Rose Bowl Games, although they lost each time. He was the head football coach at University of Arkansas from 2013 to 2017, tallying a mark of 29–34. Bielema was an assistant coach in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons, in 2018 and 2019 with the New England Patriots and in 2020 with the New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Burlsworth</span> American football player (1976–1999)

Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth was an American football player who was an offensive lineman of the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madre Hill</span> American football player and coach (born 1976)

Madre Hill is a former American football running back, playing last for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Considered one of the greatest running backs to come out of the University of Arkansas, Hill was named 1st Team All-SEC in 1995 and was named to the Razorbacks' All-time team for the 1990s. He formerly held the all-time season rushing record for Arkansas high schools and for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Sam Olajubutu is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Mallett</span> American football player (1988–2023)

Ryan Michael Mallett was an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2008 football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.[a] The Razorbacks finished the season with an overall record of 5–7 and a conference record of 2–6 in Bobby Petrino's inaugural season.

The Burlsworth Trophy is an award given annually to the most outstanding FBS college football player who began his career as a walk-on. It was first awarded for the 2010 season and is a program of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation. Burlsworth walked on to the Arkansas Razorbacks football program in 1994 and became an All-American. He was killed in a car accident 11 days after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Smith (defensive end)</span> American football player (1992–2023)

Chris Smith was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Smith was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans of the NFL and Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkansas Razorbacks football statistical leaders</span>

The Arkansas Razorbacks football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Arkansas Razorbacks football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Razorbacks represent the University of Arkansas in the NCAA's Southeastern Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martrell Spaight</span> American football player (born 1993)

Martrell Spaight is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Arkansas. He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Massachusetts Pirates and Vegas Vipers.

<i>Greater</i> (film) 2016 sports film by David Hunt

Greater is a 2016 American biographical sports film directed by David Hunt and starring Christopher Severio as American football player Brandon Burlsworth, a walk-on college player who became an All-American, dying in a car crash 11 days after being drafted high in the 3rd round to the National Football League. The film was released on August 26, 2016. It was the last film featuring Michael Parks to be released within his lifetime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foyesade Oluokun</span> American football player (born 1995)

Foyesade Oluokun is an American football linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Yale, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He is notable for his proficient tackling ability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Arkansas Razorbacks football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played their home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Arkansas competed as a member of the West Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and were led by second-year head coach Sam Pittman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Arkansas Razorbacks football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played their home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by third-year head coach Sam Pittman. Arkansas won a bowl game in back-to-back seasons for only the second time in program history, repeating the feat of the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season marked the Crimson Tide's 129th overall season, 90th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 32nd and final season within the SEC Western Division, with Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC on July 1, 2024. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by Nick Saban in his 17th and final season as head coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Sanders</span> American football player (born 2000)

Drew Sanders is an American football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he was a member of the team that won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, before transferring to Arkansas in 2022. Sanders was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bumper Pool (American football)</span> American football player (born 1999)

Bumper James Morris Pool is an American football linebacker for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Arkansas and he is the school's leader in all-time tackles with 441.

Brady Russell is an American football tight end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Colorado and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

Cameron Little is an American football placekicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arkansas, where he holds the highest field goal percentage of any kicker in program history and finished his college career without having missed an extra point. He also drew media attention for his charity work with Down Syndrome Connection of Northwest Arkansas, which led to an appearance on Good Morning America. Following his junior season, he declared for the 2024 NFL draft; he was ranked as the top kicking prospect in his class by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

References

  1. ↑ Davenport, Richard (October 3, 2021). "The Recruiting Guy: Trio of Razorback linebackers leaving a mark". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette . Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Grant Morgan Biography". Arkansas Razorbacks. June 29, 2016. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Grant Morgan, Greenwood AR, Inside Linebacker". 247Sports. Archived from the original on April 11, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Recruiting Update: Grant Morgan, Drew's Brother, to be a Razorback". Razorbackers. January 18, 2016. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Grant Morgan Recruit Interests". 247Sports. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  6. ↑ Murphy, Tom (August 26, 2018). "Razorbacks place 3 on scholarship". Arkansas Online. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  7. ↑ Short, Shelley. "Pittman Talks Football". Southwest Arkansas Today. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  8. ↑ "2020 Walter Camp All-America Teams – Walter Camp Football Foundation". Walter Camp Football Foundation. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  9. ↑ Pavilack, Jacob. "Arkansas LB Grant Morgan selected to AFCA All-American 2nd Team". KAIT8. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Phil Steele's 2020 Postseason All American and All Conference Teams – Phil Steele". Phil Steele. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Morgan and Catalon named AP first team All-SEC". KATV. December 23, 2020. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Arkansas LB Grant Morgan signs NIL deal with Walk-On's". 247Sports . Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Arkansas Razorbacks star linebacker named a finalist for Burlsworth Trophy". KY3. November 16, 2021. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Roster Moves: Jaguars agree to terms with 15 undrafted free agents". Jaguars.com. May 2, 2022. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Roster Moves: Jaguars claim K Jake Verity, and waive QB Jake Luton and LB Grant Morgan". Jaguars.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Roster Moves: Jaguars make 11 additions to the practice squad". Jaguars.com. August 31, 2022. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  17. ↑ Dillon, John (September 12, 2022). "Jaguars add veterans Corey Peters, James Murray to practice squad". USAToday.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Grant Morgan joins Bielema coaching staff at Illinois". wholehogsports.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Grant Morgan adjusting to married life". HawgSports. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Being a Morgan: sitting down with Grant Morgan's wife, Sydnie". KNWA FOX24. October 25, 2020. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.