Tag: Grant Morgan

Former Hogs linebacker Grant Morgan joins Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois

Former Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan will join his old coach at Illinois as a graduate assistant.

Bret Bielema and the Morgan family have quite the connection.

The current Illinois coach got to know both Grant and Drew Morgan when the two played their high school football at Greenwood before joining Bielema when he coached Arkansas. Both Grant and Drew started as walk-ons and eventually became All-SEC players.

Now, for Grant, he’s hooking back up with his old coach. Illinois announced Friday that the younger Morgan would be joining Bielema’s Fighting Illini staff as a graduate assistant.

Morgan, 25, won the Burlsworth Trophy 2021 as the nation’s best former walk-on. A linebacker, he had 312 tackles in his career with the Razorbacks to rank 14th on the all-time list.

Bielema just completed his second season in Champaign. Illinois finished 8-5, their best record since 2007.

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Arkansas’ linebacker depth has lacked for a long time, but Pooh changes things

Arkansas linebacker Christopher “Pooh” Paul is unlike anyone that Hogs have had at the spot in 10 years.

Christopher Paul. Chris Paul. Pooh Paul.

The Arkansas redshirt freshman linebacker may finally be the player the Razorbacks have sought for the last 10 years. He’s so new to the lineup, it’s unclear what he’ll be known as going forward.

And, yes, it’s been that long since Arkansas has had three linebackers who were all in the top five on the team in tackles outside of last year’s magical season of Grant Morgan, Bumper Pool and Hayden Henry. And that only happened because of the extra year of COVID-19 eligibility.

Arkansas has had excellent duos practically every year since. Montrell Speight. Brooks Ellis. Dre Greenlaw. De’Jon Harris. Morgan. Henry. Pool. One always played with the other.

Now, even, it’s Pool and Alabama transfer Drew Sanders. Pool’s eligibility is exhausted after this season. But Sanders has more time and Paul is in only three games into his four year-career on the field. So far, so good, especially last week.

“He got more reps this week than he did the previous week,” coach Sam Pittman. “He’s a good player. Physical guy. He’s playing mistake-free football.”

That’s all Arkansas needs right now. Anything above and beyond mistake-free football, allows the Hogs to give opponents different looks. Arkansas has played several years now almost exclusively with five defensive backs and often with six. Part of that is the nature of the game. But more of it was because of a lack of depth. Paul’s growth – he has 10 tackles in two games, tied for fourth on the team.

“When he gets a lot of his reps is when we’re in the three-linebacker look when Drew’s on the field as a rush, jack, buck, whatever you want to call it. We’re getting more comfortable in that set because of the play of Pooh.”

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Two former Razorbacks make NFL debuts

Former Razorbacks Montaric Brown and Grant Morgan got their first chance to prove their worth for the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday night.

The annual Hall of Fame Game officially kicked off the 2022 NFL season Thursday night, which allowed two former Razorbacks to begin their professional careers.

Seventh-round selection [autotag]Montaric Brown[/autotag] and free agent signee [autotag]Grant Morgan[/autotag] both saw time with the Jacksonville Jaguars during their 27-11 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

While neither player saw significant playing time, they made the most of their limited action.

Brown began the game working with the special teams, then made the transition to the secondary for the second half. He ended the game with three total tackles, two were solo.

For Morgan, he saw even less time on the field than Brown. Morgan entered the game late in the second half at linebacker and on special teams. He recorded three total tackles, with one of those being a sack in the final two minutes of the game.

Brown and Morgan will get another chance to show that they earn a spot on the Jaguars’ regular season roster next Friday, as Jacksonville hosts Cleveland for their second preseason game.

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Bumper Pool listed on Butkus Award Watchlist

Pool is listed among the nation’s top linebackers heading into the 2022 season.

One of Arkansas’ most impactful returning starters on defense is listed as one of the top linebackers in the country.

Monday, it was announced that senior linebacker [autotag]Bumper Pool[/autotag], along with 49 other linebackers across the country, had been named to the Butkus Award preseason watchlist, an award given annually to the nation’s best linebacker.

Pool led the team in tackles last season with 125, with 7.5 of those being for loss. In four seasons at Arkansas, Pool has made 349 stops with 23 tackles for loss in 44 total games. He is set to play his fifth season of college football in 2022, using his extra season of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Pool will also be the only returning starting linebacker from last season following the departure of [autotag]Grant Morgan[/autotag] and [autotag]Hayden Henry[/autotag]. Arkansas added help from the transfer portal in [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag], who should compliment Pool on Arkansas’ defense.

Pool and the Arkansas Razorbacks are set to open the season on Sept. 3 against Cincinnati at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

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Hogs linebacker joins Montaric Brown in Jacksonville as free agent

After a six-year career that saw him finish 13th on Arkansas’ all-time tackle list, he’s headed to Jacksonville.

[autotag]Grant Morgan[/autotag] left Arkansas as one of the most beloved players of the modern era after starting as a unheralded walk-on.

Now Morgan will seek to do the same in the NFL.

The former six-year linebacker with the Razorbacks will join the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent. There he will join his former teammate, cornerback Montaric Brown, who was drafted by the Jags in the seventh round.

The brother of former Arkansas wide receiver Drew Morgan, who also signed as an undrafted free agent after finishing his career in the mid 2010s, finished his career with the Hogs with 313 tackles. That number is 15th in Arkansas history.

Morgan was one of three Arkansas players to sign as undrafted free agents after the NFL draft’s conclusion on Saturday, joining three others who were drafted in Brown, John Ridgeway and Treylon Burks.

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How is Arkansas Football replacing their biggest losses from last season?

Arkansas football has high expectations for 2022, but what area will they need to address the most heading into the season?

Arkansas Football is one of the teams that everyone is looking forward to watching in 2022. There is plenty of excitement surrounding the return of KJ Jefferson at the quarterback position, as well as the stable of running backs and the potential of the transfer wide receivers such as [autotag]Jadon Haselwood[/autotag].

But, that seems to be where the focus is, on offense. How does Arkansas look defensively heading into the new season? That seems to be a burning question.

Tom VanHaaren of ESPN wrote a piece called “How college football’s way-too-early top 25 teams are replacing their biggest losses“, with Arkansas’ defense being the biggest question.

Arkansas, which ranks No. 20 in the way-too-early top 25 from ESPN, will be looking to replace eight key defenders including [autotag]Grant Morgan[/autotag], [autotag]Hayden Henry[/autotag], and [autotag]Tre Williams,[/autotag] as well as Joe Foucha and Greg Brooks Jr. who left Arkansas for LSU via the transfer portal.

Despite the losses, Arkansas reloaded by bringing in talent from the transfer portal, and that is where they can begin filling holes says VanHaaren.

On the defensive line, the Arkansas coaches signed LSU defensive end transfer [autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag], who was the No. 78 prospect in the 2021 class. Georgia Tech transfer [autotag]Jordan Domineck[/autotag] will also help Jackson in the pass rush. In the secondary, the staff landed LSU corner transfer [autotag]Dwight McGlothern[/autotag] and Georgia safety [autotag]Latavious Brini[/autotag].

The Razorbacks also have to replace three members of the backfield, but have players to step up, such as Simeon Blair, Jalen Catalon, and Keuan Parker, who all have playing experience.

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Grant Morgan ready for his last hurrah at Arkansas

Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan ready to end on a high note against Penn State.

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Some team in the NFL is going to give Grant Morgan a shot. Arkansas’ star linebacker is too much of a football player not to get one.

For another couple days, though, Morgan is all Hogs.

“This is the biggest game I’ve ever played in. This is my national championship. This is all of our biggest game We’re going to treat it as such,” Morgan said.

Morgan arrived to Arkansas from Greenwood High, about an hour-and-a-half to the south of Fayetteville. He was recruited, but, like his older brother Drew, as a walk-on. It didn’t take long for Morgan to earn a scholarship and he’s been so good in his career, he capped the regular season by winning the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the best college player who started his career as a walk-on.

Morgan had 96 tackles, including seven for-loss, with a half-sack, an interception, six quarterback hurries and three pass break-ups.

Getting ready for the Outback Bowl against Penn State this week, Morgan reflected a bit on his time with the Razorbacks and what the future holds. The game will be the senior’s last, as it will be for fellow senior Hayden Henry. Senior Bumper Pool could return, though he’s yet to state one way or the other.

Regardless, Morgan likes what he sees.

“Linebackers for next year, no matter what Bump decides, I know the linebackers are going to be in great hands with (linebackers coach Michael) Scherer,” Morgan said.

On Saturday, though, it’s about Morgan, Pool and Henry.

“To be able to be here and say this is my last game it’s going to be hard,” Morgan said. “But I know I’ve given my all to this team and state so I’m going to go away with a happy feeling no matter what.”

Former Arkansas defensive end Tre Williams to play in Collegiate Bowl

Tre Williams becomes fourth Arkansas player to accept invitation to the Collegiate Bowl.

Former Arkansas defensive end Tre Williams became the fourth Razorbacks player of 2021 to accept an invitation to the Collegiate Bowl this week.

Williams played one season with the Hogs, leading the team with six sacks and registering 28 tackles after transferring from Missouri. He was arrested for DWI early Sunday morning and announced his opting out of the Outback Bowl for the NFL draft later that day.

Williams joins linebackers Grant Morgan and Bumper Pool and offensive tackle Myron Cunningham as invitees. Pool could still return to Arkansas for one more season while the others have exhausted their eligibility. All three plan to play in the Outback Bowl against Penn State on January 1.

Defensive tackle John Ridgeway, in November, accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl and cornerback Montaric Brown accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl in November, as well. Like Pool, both could still return to Arkansas with a final year of eligibility.

The Collegiate Bowl is January 22, the East-West Shrine Bowl if February 3 and the Senior Bowl is February 5.

The legend of Grant Morgan continues to grow

Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan continues to rack up postseason honors.

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It was difficult to imagine a player more adored by Arkansas fans, players and media than Drew Morgan. The Greenwood High product walked-on with the Razorbacks in 2013 and by the time he was done, he was in the top 10 of the Hogs’ records books.

His brother Grant may not have the flash, playing at linebacker versus the more visible wide receiver spot after all, but he has the same heart, talent and personality as his older brother.

Now he could get something Drew couldn’t.

Arkansas’ senior captain linebacker Grant Morgan was named a finalist for the Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. He’ll go against Oklahoma safety Patrick Fields and Kentucky defensive Josh Paschal for the honor, which will be announced February 17.

The award given for best leadership is Morgan’s third such finalist placing. He won the Burlsworth Trophy as the best college football in the country who began his career as a walk-on earlier this month just up the road from Fayetteville in Bentonville.

The Witten Award is named after former Tennessee and Dallas Cowboys All-Pro tight end Jason Witten. The winner receives a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school’s fund for athletic scholarships.

Morgan finished second on the team with 96 tackles, including 7 1/2 for loss during Arkansas’ regular season.

Grant Morgan accepts invite to Collegiate Bowl

Arkansas’ sixth-year captain will play in a senior showcase game.

Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan will play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in January.

The sixth-year senior was awarded the Burlsworth Trophy earlier this week as the best college football player who started his career as a walk-on. Then, on Tuesday, he was named a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, given to the top scholar-athlete in the country and is otherwise known as the academic Heisman Trophy.

Morgan joins fellow seniors John Ridgeway and Montaric Brown in having accepted invites for postseasion senior bowls. Ridgeway, a defensive tackle, will play in the Senior Bowl while Brown, a first-team All-SEC cornerback this week, will play in the East West Shrine Bowl.

Morgan’s 96 tackles are second on the Razorbacks’ roster. Seven of them have come for-loss and he has an additional six quarterback hurries, three pass break-ups and an interception.