by Pat Turner, goUTSA.com contributing writer
SAN ANTONIO — David Morgan II saw the perfect football opportunity at UTSA.
Not only was the wide receiver from Marble Falls going to live his dream of playing at a higher level, but being a contributor to a start-up program made the situation more attractive.
During his time with the Roadrunners, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Morgan has provided a helping hand in more ways than one, while doing plenty of growing. In addition to making the conversion from receiver to tight end, he has set an example on overcoming adversity after coming back from a broken leg that sidelined him a full season.
His perseverance and love for what he is doing has not gone unnoticed.
The senior tight end earned honorable mention All-Conference USA accolades last season and enters this year as a member of the 2015 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award (top offensive player in Division I with ties to the state of Texas) watch list. He opened his final campaign last Thursday with a program-record nine receptions for 109 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown, in the Roadrunners' 42-32 setback at No. 22 Arizona.
As one of two returning starters on UTSA’s offense, Morgan looks to live up to the preseason honor while ending his senior year on a winning note.
“I am definitely excited about my senior year,” said Morgan, who is one of three remaining players who saw action in the program’s inaugural season back in 2011. “It feels good to get the recognition because it shows that people appreciate my work, but I want to help our team have a great year. It is now or never for me. It’s going to be fun because I am out doing what I love with my friends.”
Morgan honestly can say his time in the Alamo City has been adventurous, especially after the challenges he has encountered.
The first test came upon his arrival.
UTSA coaches liked the pass catching skills he displayed while earning Class 4A all-state honors at Marble Falls High School. However, they believed his size and strength would make him a bigger asset at tight end. They have not been disappointed.
During his freshman year, Morgan hauled in 13 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns, while becoming a reliable blocker on the front.
The past two seasons, Morgan has become even more effective.
After sitting out the 2012 campaign due to injury, he had seven receptions for 69 yards in 2013, before coming up with 22 for 225 and a score last year.
“David is everything you look for not only as a tight end but a player for our program,” UTSA tight ends coach Charlie Reeve said. “He is very smart and works hard. He has the athletic ability for a wide receiver and there’s probably not anybody who has better hands. He can also block when we need him to.
“The other guys feed off his enthusiasm. We look for leadership and he’s always been that guy. Even as an underclassman, he led in his own way with his enthusiasm. He makes guys around him better and I am excited to see what he can do this year.”
Still, the heroics didn’t happen overnight. After all, tight end was a new position and that meant an adjustment period. Morgan kept his chin up and started feeling more comfortable each day.
“It was definitely hard,” Morgan said. “I was a 225-pound receiver in high school and a big fish in a small pond going against those cornerbacks who were 145 pounds. I moved up and now I am blocking defensive guys who are 275 or bigger. It was a transition, but I embraced it. I spent a lot of time learning technique. Being undersized, I had to focus on blocking. Our strength coaches really helped me and, once I got stronger, I felt better about blocking those big bodies.”
Going through a position change during his first season was nothing compared to the challenge of battling a season-ending injury the following year. However, the incident didn’t occur on a practice field or during a football game. Surprisingly, it happened while playing golf on a weekend in June.
“I was trying to read a putt,” Morgan said. “When I bent down my knee gave out. It didn’t hurt, but I heard a loud pop. All of a sudden my leg got stuck and I couldn’t bend it. That Monday, I came back to UTSA, got an MRI and found out the bad news.”
Being told he would have to sit out his sophomore campaign was devastating, but Morgan refused to let that be the end of his career. He kept a positive attitude and moved forward with the determination of returning at full strength.
“It was demoralizing sitting back for such a long time,” he said. “I couldn’t run because I was on crutches three or four months. It was hard watching from the sidelines when you want to help your team. Everything happens for a reason, so I didn’t let it get me down. I always tried to look at the big picture and the bright side. I knew if I worked hard and listened to what my trainers told me I could have a complete recovery.”
During his rehab work, Morgan made an impression on his coaches and teammates.
“He continued to battle back,” Reeve said. “David is a very grounded person. A lot of guys would have moped around, but he always had a great attitude.”
When the 2013 season began, Morgan was ready to make up for lost time. However, he returned to the football field with a bigger appreciation of the game and that can be seen in his daily preparation.
“I was so happy to be back on the field with my teammates,” Morgan II said. “Sometimes you can take football for granted, but I would much rather be out there with my guys than sitting on the sidelines.”
Because of the way the injury happened, Morgan gets his share of friendly ribbing from players and coaches.
“It was weird how it happened,” he said. “When I tell people I was playing golf, I catch a lot of flak. I am actually in a golf class this semester and the coaches keep telling me not to get hurt.”
Now, Morgan’s college career is winding down and he would like nothing better than to have a strong finish. That will be another challenge for the tight end and his teammates.
The Roadrunners have one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in the country that began last Thursday at No. 22 Arizona and it resumes today with the home opener with Kansas State. Following that are contests at Oklahoma State and against Colorado State. That’s in addition to a full slate of eight Conference USA contests.
It is a tough order, but Morgan isn’t putting much stock into predictions.
“A lot of people are putting us on the back burner because we had a lot of guys graduate,” he said. “I think we will surprise a lot of people this season. The key is our team chemistry. I feel like we are completely together. We have more of a family atmosphere. In the long run, we are going to have each other’s back and push each other both offensively and defensively.”
Whatever happens, Morgan will leave UTSA with a feeling of accomplishment.
“The awards have been nice, but the biggest reward is seeing the program grow,” Morgan said. “Being here that first year was really special to me. That’s one of the reasons I came here. I wanted to help build something from the ground up, so that when I got older, I could look back and know I was part of something special.”