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CAVE
CITY - A whirlwind year has left Thamail Morgan (5-11, 200) in the same
position he was last season: expecting Division I scholarship offers.
Morgan's
recruiting status never came into question last season when the all-state linebacker racked up 172 tackles, 22 sacks and recovered six fumbles while
helping Newport reach the Class 4A semifinals (before losing 24-23 in overtime
at Dollarway).
But his
life took a alternate route last winter when he violated a school policy,
resulting in a one-year suspension from Greyhound athletics. He transferred to
Class 3A Cave City after the school year ended in May.
Coach
Jon Bradley and the Cavemen welcomed Morgan in the program but placed several
stipulations on the promising linebacker. Coaches and teachers closely monitor
Morgan's classroom work and his off-the-field activities. A local youth pastor
mentors Morgan and meets with him weekly.
"He's
never given us any problem," Bradley says. "He knows he messed up
once, and that's all it takes."
Most
schools from the Southeastern Conference, including Arkansas, Ole Miss and
Alabama, along with Florida State, recruited Morgan in 2008. But after his troubles, the senior had
to re-invent himself.
Morgan's
presence has propelled third-year program Cave City to a 8-1 start. He's
emerged as the leader for a defense that gave up just 134 yards per game through Week 7.
"He's been the catalyst for a bunch of other guys to step up and play
well," Bradley says. "Having him on the field elevates everyone's
level of play."
Morgan collected 94
tackles, including 16 tackles for loss through seven games. He forced two fumbles and
returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns. He averages 10 snaps per
game on offense, scoring four touchdowns.
More
than 20 schools have contacted Morgan the past six weeks, including some from
the East and West Coasts. "We put together highlight tapes and sent them
everywhere," Bradley says. The University of Memphis and Alcorn State have
offered Morgan a scholarship in the past week, and the coach expects more
offers to filter in soon.
Morgan
holds hope that other regional schools will offer. Ole Miss has contacted him
again, along with Arkansas and the University of Central Arkansas. Start-up
program Texas-San Antonio (coached by Larry Coker, who lead the University of
Miami to the 2001 national title) is recruiting Morgan.
Boise
State, Oregon State and Wyoming contacted Cave City after seeing Morgan's
highlight film. "Oregon State has called five times," Bradley says.
"They're really intrigued with his speed and instincts." Interested East
Coast schools include Buffalo and Central Florida. Other programs evaluating
Morgan are Connecticut, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma State and
Alabama-Birmingham.
"Thamail
and I go back a long way," Newport coach Greg Brannon says. "He
deserves a shot to play college football. He's got all the talent in the world.
Nobody has ever questioned his talent or work habits. I think him getting out
of Newport and going to a new environment in Cave City may be the best for
him."
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