Morris Lives Dream

A lot was running through Brian Morris’ mind Saturday morning as he walked up to his locker before the Ole Miss Rebel football team took the field to scrimmage. He was uncharacteristically nervous as he put on his uniform in a routine process that was treated more like a ceremony. This day is as unlikely as any other day that Morris suits up for the Rebels. For the road that ended up here has been one of uncertainty and improbability.

The journey almost never began for Morris after he was injured on the opening kick-off of the fifth game during his senior high school football season. As a result of that injury, Morris was unable to send college scouts enough quality game footage to convince them he had what it takes to play at the Division I level. Not wanting to play at a smaller college, Morris decided to attend Oklahoma State which is not too far from his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

After Morris’ second year as a student at Oklahoma State, the Ole Miss football program was going through some coaching changes. Tulsa native Dave Rader had just been hired to be the Rebels offensive coordinator. Rader’s brother happens to be a member of Morris’ dad’s weekly golfing foursome. A window of opportunity had just opened which offered him a final chance to play college football.

Morris was on his way to Phoenix to visit a friend when his father called about the news. Morris decided immediately that he was going to pursue this endeavor to the fullest extent.

“I told myself that, if at the end of the day it doesn’t work out, I at least gave it a shot and, now I know where I stand at the highest level of college football.”
After using his father’s connection to contact Rader, Morris was invited to Oxford to meet with Rader and head football coach Houston Nutt.
Morris’ father recalls how nervous he was for his son.

“The whole trip we were trying to figure out how the meeting would go. We just tried to stay positive. Fortunately, Coach Nutt told Brian that he wanted him to get there and get involved as soon as possible.”

Morris remembers his first play in practice coming after his coach substituted him in by mistake.

“I went into the huddle and the coach looked at me and was irritated that he had put me in by accident. When he realized what he did, he looked at me and said, ‘Don’t f--- this up.’”

He continued to play on scout team all last fall. After the season, however, Morris got some more unexpected news. Rader and his receiver coach, Ron Dickerson, had been fired.

Gunter Brewer was hired soon after to be the receivers coach. Brewer says he is adamant about putting the best players on the field, regardless of previous playing time.

“I don’t care if you’re white, green, black, yellow or brown, the best man is going to play. Brian has shown that he has the talent to really compete for playing time next year.”

On this day, April Fool’s Day 2011, Morris and his teammates take the field in Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium to prove their worth to the coaches.

Morris, working at third-string wide receiver, takes the field after about the first 25 plays. A pass comes his way after two plays. He catches a short slant pass and is immediately tackled. The next pass comes a handful of plays later. Morris runs ten yards, plants, and takes aim toward the middle of the field. The pass is delivered tightly and accurately, and in and out of Morris’ hands. He stays on the field for two more plays and is substituted out.

Morris recalls the moment with obvious regret.

“I should have caught that second one. I really needed to hold on to that one. Hopefully, they’ll remember some of the good things I have been doing the last couple of days.”

While Morris’ playing status is uncertain, his very presence on the field and the path that got him there are notably more unlikely.