Razorbacks' Morgan makes most of his shot

FAYETTEVILLE -- Drew Morgan said two weeks ago that he viewed his new role as the veteran among Arkansas' receiving corps as not so much filling senior Keon Hatcher's shoes but making new shoes for himself.

Morgan might as well be the guy wearing the golden cleats as the Razorbacks prepare for Saturday's game at Tennessee.

The junior from Greenwood tore up the Texas A&M secondary last week for a career-best 155 yards on eight catches, including a 17-yard touchdown, to take over the team receiving lead.

Morgan has 12 receptions for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 2 games since Hatcher was lost for multiple weeks with a broken foot.

"It's no surprise to me," receivers coach Michael Smith said. "I don't want to sound like I'm shocked that Drew did it. I keep telling everybody I get to see these guys every day. Here's a guy who took advantage of an opportunity, and I've just got to keep him playing like that."

Morgan moved from the slot position to Hatcher's "Z" position, which frequently is the first read for quarterback Brandon Allen.

Morgan led the team with four catches against Texas Tech, then doubled that against Texas A&M. His 17-yard catch in the backside flats resulted in the opening score against the Aggies. He had catches of 31 and 38 yards, with lots of yardage after the catch on both, to set up Arkansas' other touchdowns last Saturday.

"He's such a smart guy," Allen said. "He can get himself open. He sees coverages well. He knows how to stem his routes, how to run his routes to get open.

"He's just so smart about knowing where to settle or where to run through holes, and find gaps in the defense to get himself open. He thinks with the QB, and that helps me be on the same page with him when we're throwing the ball."

Morgan, who is generously listed at 6 feet, 195 pounds, broke tackles after crossing routes, juked his way past defenders and raced past others to rack up dozens of yards after the catch against the Aggies.

"I like to catch the ball in space," Morgan said. "I feel like I'm quick enough and fast enough, and I thank Coach [Ben] Herbert for getting me right in the summer. I feel like yards after catch are positive."

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema chewed out Morgan during training camp after a dropped pass, and Morgan responded with a hot start that included Arkansas' first touchdown of the season on a 26-yard catch and run against Texas-El Paso.

"I love the kid," Bielema said. "He lacks nothing in confidence. I've been sitting in wide receiver meetings the last couple of weeks and he knows every position."

Morgan, an Arkansas State commitment in the winter of 2012-13 until Coach Gus Malzahn left to take the Auburn job, jumped at an offer from Razorbacks.

"I thought Gus Malzahn was the guy to go to, and he ended up going to Auburn and then I was stuck without a head coach," Morgan said. "Arkansas came out of nowhere and I thought SEC or Sun Belt? I went to the SEC not only for bigger football, but I was going to get a better education. From there it's been a ride."

Morgan didn't have a catch as a freshman in 2013, despite having good showings in scrimmages. The following year he and cornerback Carroll Washington got crossways after a play in a scrimmage and threw punches at each other. Now, his fiery nature is finding a home on the field on game days.

"He's always been that way, but I think you're just seeing it more because he's more involved in the offense," Smith said.

"I'm a highly competitive person," Morgan said.

"He's playing good right now," freshman receiver Jojo Robinson said. "Matter of fact, he's playing great right now. He's been a good leader. All of us lead each other, but since Keon's been down he's been leading."

Injuries to Hatcher, Cody Hollister and Jared Cornelius have shortened the depth chart at receiver and thrust Robinson and Kendrick Edwards into starting roles with Morgan, with Damon "Duwop" Mitchell and Dominique Reed moving up as well.

Morgan, who is sixth in the SEC with an average of 75.8 receiving yards per game and eighth with an average of 4.5 receptions per game, said he hopes he is opening eyes around the league.

"I feel like I've gained not just the outside world's respect, but my team's respect," Morgan said. "The wide receiver group looks at me as the go-to guy now. I feel like with that chip on my shoulder I have to lead this group.

"Just like I said before, the game on Saturday, I'm trying to prove this wide receiving corps still has some juice. I feel like I proved that along with Kendrick, Jojo, Dominique and Duwop."

Sports on 10/01/2015