Senior Spotlight: Maurice Morgan

RALEIGH, N.C. - When redshirt senior Maurice Morgan arrived at NC State four years ago he was focused on a new beginning. Originally from LaGrange, N.C., he attended North Lenoir High School as a three-sport athlete, excelling in track and basketball along with football.

Morgan began his football career at the age of 10 but according to the 6-foot-3, 245-pound wide receiver, his interest in the sport didn't really peak until high school.

Morgan played multiple roles on his North Lenoir team including tailback, safety, kick returner as well as his current position, wide receiver. His versatility caught the eye of three of the states largest universities: East Carolina, North Carolina and NC State.

Morgan credits much of the reason he chose to sign with NC State to former special teams coach Jerry Petercuskie.

"NC State was the first school that came to talk to me about playing football," said Morgan. "One of the things that coach Petercuskie said to me was, 'the first team that comes to see you is the team that wants you the most,' that really stuck with me and made NC State feel like it was the right fit."

Attending NC State was not only a good fit for his role as an athlete but for him as a student as well.

"It wasn't too far from home but it wasn't too close either," said Morgan. "I didn't want to be somewhere that I would feel distracted by my friends from home so that I could really commit to focusing on football and school. I knew balancing both would be hard and that I would really need to manage my time carefully."

Making the most of his opportunity to attend a top ranked university, Morgan chose to study one of the unique majors offered only at NC State. He is currently pursuing a degree in science, technology and society with a specialty in poisons and the environment. Morgan will graduate in December with the hopes of pursuing a job in criminal investigation.

"I really want to be a criminal profiler," said Morgan. "I'm really interested in the psychology of criminals and it's something I think I would be good at. I want to do a job that will help people and also something that I like and I think this could be it."

One person Morgan credits with getting him to where he is today and helping him have the opportunity to receive his degree in December is his mother, Melissa Morgan.

"It was just me, her and my little brother growing up," said Morgan. "She did it all and always kept me right."

When asked if there was someone Morgan looked up to, rather than replying as expected with the name of a professional athlete or coach Morgan replied, "My mother. My mom is an inspirational person and none of this would be possible without her."

On the field, Morgan acknowledged that his main source of inspiration comes from his teammates. He noted one teammate in particular, David J. Grinnage, as someone he's grateful for when he finds a need for motivation.

"He keeps me going everyday and helps me to stay positive," said Morgan who has suffered some set backs in his collegiate career. On-going issues with his back have occasionally sidelined him during practice, which any player knows can be disruptive to their status on the team.

Having to miss practices in the past, returning after an injury can be a mentally daunting experience that many players struggle to overcome. It's in situations like those Morgan feels especially grateful for teammates like Grinnage.

"He just always keeps me grinding," said Morgan. "He helps me remember you've got to work you're way up there and if you want to be great you've got to do great things."

Entering his final season of college football, Morgan claims he has one goal constantly on his mind, "I just want to make everyone proud."

He shared one of his favorite memories he always finds himself reflecting on when mentioning pride, the fourth quarter punt block that helped secure the infamous win over Florida State in 2012.

At the time, Morgan was a redshirt freshman playing mainly on special teams. He loves thinking back to the role he played helping teammate, Mike Rose block that punt in one of the best games of his college career.

"People still talk about that game and that punt block really helped us get that win. Mike got it, but I made the shield block so he could get there. The crowd was unreal after that."

As for the contributions he plans to make this season, "I just want to make the team better, make myself better and out on for Wolfpack Nation."

Morgan takes a lot of pride in that moment on the field but he shared, it is moments off the field that have made the most impact on him.

"When I first got here I was childish," Morgan said candidly. "I'm proud of how much I've grown up. I feel like I have a pretty good understanding now of how the world works and I definitely couldn't have said that four years ago. I know how to work hard and get that I have to in more things than just football."

North Carolina State University Athletics

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David J. Grinnage

Maurice Morgan

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