Beautiful San Diego, California, is clearly one of the
best places you will find in America — an easy going and
relaxed pace, with great golf and resorts, and that
incredible weather under always sunny skies…and Aztec
football. Did I include Aztec football? Yes, I did.
Perhaps not many will scurry to watch a San Diego State
University football game; however, they might just to
watch inside linebacker Kirk Morrison strap on a helmet
and play his way into being the best inside linebacker
prospect in the country.
Kirk Morrison is a rambunctious defensive general, and at
6'2" and 240 lbs., he’s scary enough to make you want a
glass of warm milk and a bed time story from mama. He
doesn't just tackle; there is something more eerie
involved. Kirk has an almost distinct 'smack' when he
hits someone. He has an uncanny grasp of the linebacker
position, knowing where he is and where he needs to be at
all times. As much as I hate to use the overused
description of "textbook," I can't seem to find a better
description for his play.
With a list of awards and accomplishments longer than the
par 5, 9th hole at Torrey Pines South, Kirk has
rapidly made a name for himself and Aztec football. Last
year he was a first-team All-America selection by College
Football News, voted the Mountain West Conference
defensive player of the year by conference coaches and
media, and named to the 2003 watch lists of the Bronko
Nagurski, Butkus, and Rotary Lombardi Awards, and the list
just goes on and on. The most impressive thing is that
he's not done with college football yet. His 2004 list of
awards will most likely dwarf his previous years. I fully
expect him to win or be a top finalist of both the
Nagurski and Butkus awards.
The Aztecs’ defense was very good last year, fantastic
even. They ranked 8th nationally and were at the very top
of the Mountain West Conference, giving up an average of
only 289 yards per game. Expect greater things this year
as eight starters are returning from last year’s squad.
It’s not as if Kirk Morrison will be alone at the
linebacker position; Matt McCoy will be back and that will
only help to add to his numbers. Last year, the
Morrison-McCoy combo slapped hands, and bumped chests over
240 times, leading the team in combined tackles.
Though last year was certainly special for Morrison, he’s
been consistent with his contributions his entire college
career. Redshirted his freshman year, Morrison was tossed
into action when star LB Beau Trickey was lost for the
season. Kirk answered the call by finishing second on the
team with 69 tackles. Now he has amassed 281 career
stops, 31 tackles for a loss, and 5 interceptions, and
he's the undeniable defensive leader.
With those types of numbers, Kirk seriously debated
turning pro after last year, but decided to return for his
senior year in an attempt to help the Aztecs get back to
the post season for the first time since 1998. "I still
feel empty," he stated, in reference to San Diego State
not making it to the postseason during his stay. He
described his quandary, stating, “My heart is still in San
Diego, but it is my lifelong dream to play in the NFL.
There are so many possibilities and considerations."
Morrison said, "The opportunity is there for me, but there
are a lot of different factors". Well when all of those
factors were weighed against each other, he decided to
return for his senior season. As a fan of college
football, I'm glad he did. Before his decision was made
public, Morrison was considered a possible first day
selection. If Kirk stays healthy, and produces anywhere
close to what he has in the past, there will be no
"possible" about it. He will go on the first day of the
NFL draft…and I’d be willing to bet that he’ll go in the
first round.
Morrison is an outstanding linebacker. I'm of the opinion
that if he wasn't actually playing linebacker, he'd be
coaching the position. He has an almost freakish ability
to read plays as they happen and adjust his position to
make the play. It's hard to find any negatives about
him. His only drawbacks are that you don't see him
blitzing and taking out the quarterback too often, but
that can be attributed to the style of defense he plays
in, rather than a lack of ability. Kirk has the luxury of
playing for one of the best defenses in the country, but
even with the accumulation of talent that surrounds him,
he sets himself apart and makes some really good players
look average at best.
It’s more than likely that those of you reading this are
football fans, not necessarily San Diego State fans. That
being said, if you are in San Diego for whatever reason,
Kirk Morrison is a must see and I promise you won't be
disappointed. I don't miss out on too many opportunities
to golf, especially if I am in So-Cal, but I would
definitely miss at least the back 9 to see Kirk Morrison
tee it up and yell, " FORE!" before planting his driver
flush and square into an opposing player’s ear hole.
For more
information about him, read his
Player Profile.
