RECRUITING: Foothill’s Morris commits to San Diego State
Tyler Morris is a receiver blessed with speed and size for Foothill’s football program, but he might be even better as an instinctive, hard-hitting safety.
More scholarship offers were bound to come in for Morris, one of the state’s top prospects in the class of 2013.
But when San Diego State was the first to extend an offer to Morris last week, the 6-foot-3-inch, 195-pound talent didn’t need long to mull it over. Morris made an oral commitment to play for the Aztecs on Sunday night.
“I committed early because if this is the right school for me, why wait?” Morris said. “I see myself signing there. I’m really excited about it.”
Morris also drew interest from Duke, Oregon State, UNLV and Wake Forest. National signing day is Feb. 6, 2013.
“He’s very athletic for being a tall kid,” Foothill coach Martin Redmond said. “He can jump, has good hands, he’s an all-around good athlete. His effort is tremendous. All those things stand out on film.”
Morris said the Aztecs will take a look at him at several positions.
“Wherever they need me, whatever I develop into,” Morris said.
Morris was a second-team All-Southeast League safety last season, helping Foothill (9-3) reach the Sunrise Region title game.
Liberty won the region final 37-35, but Morris stood out with three catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
He made a leaping 21-yard TD catch above two defenders on a pass from sophomore Drew Doxtator in the fourth quarter.
“He’ll be a big piece just as he was last year,” Redmond said. “He was one of our only two-way starters last year. His playoffs were big games. We expect the same thing (in 2012).
“He’s just a great kid on and off the field. He’s the model student-athlete.”
Morris also is a forward for Foothill’s basketball team and a standout outfielder in the baseball program.
“I think it’s definitely a bonus for me,” he said of playing three sports. “It gives me better overall athleticism. Football is the sport I really love.”
