PASADENA, Calif. — Semaj Morgan became a Michigan football fan favorite just about as quickly as someone pointed a camera at him. It elevated the first time the freshman from West Bloomfield got the ball in his hands.
The first-year wide receiver went viral after his postgame interview with Fox following the Big Ten Championship Game, but he’s hoping to have a much bigger moment when facing the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl on Monday.
WolverinesWire caught up with Morgan at Rose Bowl media day and he divulged a little secret: Alabama was his favorite team growing up.
“I ain’t gonna lie to you, growing up, Alabama, me and my dad, that was our favorite team,” Morgan said. “But when the time came, the time came. Michigan they a great team. But we gotta respect them, they gotta respect us. To be able to play this in my freshman year is just a blessing. It’s a dream come true. I feel like my team is ready. Come game time, we’re gonna be ready.”
Alabama did not recruit Morgan, and while that could be added motivation for the enigmatic freshman, he says that it doesn’t really matter, because he’s got plenty of motivation to go around, regardless of opponent.
“I had a chip on my shoulder anyway,” Morgan said. “I don’t really care about that. I have a chip on my shoulder anyway. Anybody out there.”
See the rest of the interview which features Morgan discussing his outspoken nature, why he’s a superior route runner than anyone knows about, and more.