Former Mustang, All-American David Morgan prepares for NFL Draft

JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER

SAN ANTONIO — When David Morgan graduated from Marble Falls High School in 2011, most fans knew he had the talent and work ethic to succeed as a tight end at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

And they were right.

Morgan was named to USA Today’s second team All-American list and was a honorable mention on Sports Illustrated’s All-American list. In 2015, he caught 45 passes for 566 yards and five touchdowns and graded out as one of the top blocking tight ends in the country.

Morgan, who finishes his career with 85 catches for 1,104 yards and eight touchdowns, is the first Roadrunner to be named an All-American on numerous lists.

“It feels really good,” he said.

But it’s not over for Morgan as he sets his sights on the NFL.

He signed with agent Ben Hartsock of Priority Sports and Entertainment on Dec. 7 in preparation for the NFL Draft in April, following in the footsteps of former Mustangs teammate Cyril Lemon, who is a member of the New Orleans Saints practice squad.

“This is just the next step,” Morgan said. “It’s always a building process.”

Morgan missed the 2012 season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, an injury he suffered while kneeling to measure a putt on a golf course. He believes his long hair, which now reaches down his back and hasn’t been trimmed since 2012, has kept him injury free since then.

His knee injury didn’t keep him from carrying Kansas State senior defensive back Nate Jackson for six yards to get a first down during the Wildcats’ 30-3 win against UTSA on Sept. 12.

Morgan calls that his favorite play of the season.

Just how popular is the tight end with Roadrunners faithful?

People wear wigs to the games to imitate him. Children wear his jersey and wigs under helmets as part of their Halloween outfits, and Morgan is asked how it feels to be confused with male model Fabio.

He will graduate in the spring with a degree in business management and a minor in athletic coaching. He got the minor because he knew he wouldn’t be able to finish his master’s degree before he entered the draft.

Morgan has accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 23 and moved to Atlanta on Jan. 3 to begin training for the draft, which is April 28-30.

But no matter where he goes, he still remembers what he learned while a Marble Falls Mustang.

“Growing up there, obviously, there’s a family vibe,” he said with a smile. “Everyone knows each other. We had (fewer players than our district opponents), but we worked hard. We got after it. We were eager and hungry.”

He said playing for head coach Larry Coker at UTSA was a great decision.

“UTSA is the underdog,” he said. “I like that. It helped us to get out and fight. It was awesome to be a part of the program from the start.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

DailyTrib.com

See author's posts