Linebacker Desmond Morgan talks about starting spring practice, how the defense looks this season, his role on the team, being a leader as a junior, Taylor Lewan's impact of the team and new coach Roy Manning.
Linebacker Desmond Morgan talks about wearing the famed No. 48 jersey, the recent success on the defensive side of the ball and the upcoming Saturday night (Oct. 27) game at Nebraska.
CAREER HIGHS Tackles: 11, twice (last at Ohio State, Nov. 24, 2012) Solos: 7, vs. Northwestern (Nov. 10, 2012) Asst: 8, vs. Alabama (Sept. 1, 2012) TFLs: 1.5, twice (last vs. Virginia Tech, Jan. 3, 2012) Sacks: 1, vs. Ohio State (Nov. 26, 2011) Int.: None FR: 1, at Michigan State (Oct. 15, 2011) PBUs: 1, twice (last at Minnesota, Nov. 3, 2012)
At Michigan ... has appeared in 23 games at linebacker, making 18 starts.
Sophomore (2012) ... Academic All-Big Ten ... will wear No. 48 jersey for the remainder of his career, switching form No. 44 in honor of "Michigan Football Legend" Gerald Ford prior to Illinois game (Oct. 13) ... missed Iowa and Massachusetts games due to injury ... has started nine games at linebacker ... SOUTH CAROLINA (Jan. 1) ... tallied three tackles and a half-TFL ... OHIO STATE (Nov. 24) ... matched career high with 11 tackles ... NORTHWESTERN (Nov. 10) ... recorded nine tackles, including career-high seven solo stops ... MINNESOTA (Nov. 3) ... tallied five tackles and one pass breakup ... NEBRASKA (Oct. 27) ... posted nine tackles, including one for a loss ... MICHIGAN STATE (Oct. 20) ... recorded career-high 11 tackles ... ILLINOIS (Oct. 13) ... posted five tackles, including four solo stops ... PURDUE (Oct. 6) ... posted six tackles and 2.0 TFLs ... NOTRE DAME (Sept. 22) ... tallied seven tackles and 0.5 TFLs ... AIR FORCE (Sept. 8) ... recorded seven tackles, including five solo stops, and 1.0 TFLs ... ALABAMA (Sept. 1) ... posted eight tackles and 0.5 TFLs.
Freshman (2011) ... Sugar Bowl champion ... earned first varsity letter ... ESPN.com and BTN.com Big Ten All-Freshman Team ... appeared in 12 games; played 12 games as an outside linebacker, started seven times at linebacker (Notre Dame, Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State, Virginia Tech), played in 12 games on special teams ... VIRGINIA TECH (Jan. 3) ... tied a career high with 10 tackles and 1.5 TFLs ... OHIO STATE (Nov. 26) ... set career highs for tackles (10), assisted stops (7), TFLs (1.5) and notched first career sack ... led the team with first double-digit-tackle performance of career ... ILLINOIS (Nov. 12) ... led U-M linebackers with eight tackles, matching career high with four solo stops ...IOWA (Nov. 5) ... posted six tackles and first career PBU ... PURDUE (Oct. 29) ... led the team with a career-high nine tackles in second career start ... MICHIGAN STATE (Oct. 15) ... recorded four tackles ... tallied first career tackle-for-loss and fumble recovery ...NOTRE DAME (Sept. 10) ... made career debut as a starter vs. Notre Dame, assisted on one tackle.
Prep ... attended West Ottawa High School (2011) coached by Jim Caserta ... played quarterback and linebacker ... Key Statistics ... made 72 tackles and forced four fumbles despite missing time as a senior due to injury ... passed for 519 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 802 yards and 11 more touchdowns senior year ... recorded 120 tackles during his junior season ... Honors and Rankings ... three-star prospect and the No. 25 overall player in the state of Michigan by Rivals.com ... three-star and the nation's No. 42 inside linebacker according to Scout.com... listed as a three-star recruit and the nation's No. 24 inside linebacker by ESPN.com ... earned AP all-state honorable mention at linebacker senior season ... rated as the No. 17 player on The Detroit News Blue Chip list ... named to Grand Rapids Press All-Area team as a senior ... selected The Holland Sentinel 2010 Defensive Player of the Year and earned all-area honors as a senior.
Personal ... Desmond Morgan was born September 9, 1992 ... enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, major undeclared.
