Penn State Lands Commitment Number Nine

by BSD on May 25, 2008 8:55 PM EDT in Recruiting Comment 16 comments

Is it fair to say Larry Johnson owns the state of Maryland? Penn State landed their ninth verbal commitment, and fourth from Maryland, when Greenbelt defensive back Stephon Morris committed to LJ Sr during his unofficial visit to State College this weekend. Morris is teammates with fellow Nittany Lion verbal commit Derrick Thomas. Both players attend Eleanor Roosevelt High School which is the alma mater of Derrick WIlliams.

Morris stands 5'9" 175 lbs but runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and is projected to play cornerback for the Nittany Lions. He's the fifth defensive back to commit for the class of 2009. Morris passed up other offers from Illinois, Louisville, and Rutgers. Once again, so much for settling for Rutgers' leftovers. Psssh.

Recently Morris has really begun to make a name for himself on the camp scene. He attended the BigTime Showcase camp at Rutgers University and took home the Defensive Back MVP as well as the Overall Defensive MVP. He also attended the State College Nike Camp and was in the running for the MVP award there as well. He may be small, but he isn't afraid to mix it up with taller wide receivers. He has all the appearances of a very fundamentally sound cornerback as this YouTube highlight video demonstrates.

I love watching those wide receivers with six inches and 30 pounds on him get tossed aside after thinking they have an easy blocking assignment. I'm also impressed with how he uses his body to block his man. His short center of gravity gives him the ability to change direction and control his speed. His size will probably limit him to three stars on the recruiting sites, but personally I think we got a great one here. Welcome to the family, Stephon.

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Hmmmm

5’9” is short. But I suppose kids can grow a couple inches in college.

The one punt return in that video, about 1/3 of the way thru, gives me pause. First, he muffs the return. But he does scoop it up and thanks to some good blocking, takes it to the house. Only as he is crossing the goal line, he does a diving somersault which results in a flag. Hmmmm.

Luring recruits with my new "Posting HD" scheme since '08.

by 06Lion on May 26, 2008 10:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not to worry

If this kid is half as good as Ray Isom (5’9”, 190 lbs) was then his size won’t be a problem. In my 40 years of following Penn Sate football Ray Isom was the hardest hitting CB that has played in the Paterno era.
Ray was one of the smurf CBs along with Duffy Cobbs (5’11”. 176 lbs) that help defeat Miami in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. I’ve seen Ray take on full backs and tight ends head on. Ray always got up. Not so for the fullbacks or tight ends. He was awesome and only 5’9”.

by ageing lion on May 28, 2008 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Word up on Ray Isom

That kid was the definition of stud. Absolutely loved him! I still remember him taking on Ironhead Heyward in the flat—a play that should be required viewing for any tackling instruction: Ironhead caught a great, sealing block from his right tackle, and found himself open in the flat with this little db staring him down. He looked like he figured he couldn’t get his shoulder lower than the 5’9” dude’s frame, so figured he’d just bowl him over with his 36” thighs. He quickly discovered how unsuccessful that approach would be, as Isom, who had just shed the receiver block and was waiting for him, got up under his ‘Iron’ head and unloaded right into his chest. Boom! And of course followed through to drop the evil beast flat on his back. That play is still part of the lore in our family.

Convivite Nudem!

by jtothep on May 28, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey

He turned a mistake into something positive. I wouldn’t judge him based on a simple celebration. Didn’t we have someone do that in a game either last year or the year before?

They said, "I don't know his name, but he aims like Wayne Gretzky"
That's funny, 'cause I don't play hockey, I play HORSE on the mic and watch them all copy-Cannibal Ox

by OMEGAMAN on May 26, 2008 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dont Worry

Hey guys i dont usually respond i just read for the most part. I enjoy the expertise and the passion that you guys have for the game, however we have something in common. i share the same passion, and on the flip side of the coin Stephon is my son, and i assure you he wont let you guys down. I guess i could sing his praise and say this an that about him, I wont. What I will say is that the PSU family is getting a great kid with substance, character. A humble kid who understands the word TEAM! I promise you he’s going to work hard in the classroom, weight room and on the field. Trust me understands that after he has no more to give he’s going to reach down an find some more. So with htat said and me myself understanding the game the way i do because i to was a db who played at a very high level he’s going to make you guys proud, I thank you guys an Coach Paterno an CoachJohnson for the oppurtunity…

by Romedog30 on May 26, 2008 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to the board Romedog

I am excited that your son has choosen PSU as his school. He will be a welcome addition. I do have a quick question, how long have you read Black Shoe Diaries, and did this site help you and your son feel better about PSU?

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on May 26, 2008 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Romedog30

Thanks for reading BSD and taking the time to give us more insight on Stephon. Please tell him we’re all very excited to see him in Blue and White in 2009.

WE ARE!!!

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 27, 2008 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How Long

Well throughout his entire recruiting process my girlfriend has been logging on an we have been reading and enjoying the site. but all the while it was refreshing to see how many of you guys actually were doing your homework on all of the PSU recruits an it did help us in making our choice just knowing PSU fans as well as the Coaching staff wanted Stephon. Looking forward to the PSU experience!! Stephon will be wearing #2 just like his fellow Eleanor Roosevelt alum Derrick Williams, Derrick comes home all the time and really get after with the guys he’s a true competitor an he really make the guys raised their games when he train with them

by Romedog30 on May 26, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm very happy with the verbal of Stephon

He’s got really good quickness and speed. I like the attitude on the field as long as he uses it positively and not to show up the other team. Emotion is good and those who think Penn State players are coached to play without emotion are crazy. Emotion is part of the game and football is a game that should be played with controlled agression. I could do without the somersaults. The only thing somersaults will bring is negative attention to the team and to himself. Okay, I’m done with the somersaults. Stephon plays a lot bigger than 5’9” on that tape. I like the fact that he’s aggressive because he’s going to need to be as a CB in the Big Ten. I also like the fact that he’s more than a CB. The kick returns were impressive as well.

I’m glad to hear that Romedog30 was a very good athlete on the field himself because it helps to come from a background of knowledge and skill. It prepares you much earlier than the average kid on the field. Welcome Romedog30 and welcome Stephon! You’re about to join one of the proudest, if not the proudest tradition in college football! Penn State football is something that brings people to Happy Valley from all over the country every Fall so they can pack themselves into a 110k seat stadium and watch their beloved Nittany Lions! Here’s to watching Stephon in the coming years! Welcome to the family!!

WE ARE!!!!!!

Patiently waiting for the return of Penn State Football

by ReadingNitFan on May 26, 2008 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stephon Morris

PSU…..You’ll are getting a excellent kid on and off the field. I have known Stephon since he was 7 yrs. old. His father has raised him as a single father, and talking to him over the weekend he couldn’t be more prouder of his son for choosing his favorite team growing up…All his uncle’s will be in attendance on his first home game…

Harold Williams II
Central Penn Piranha #24 (Retired)
Pikesville (MD) H.S. "DC"

by C.P. Piranha on May 26, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

From the Morris Family

To our new PSU extended family thanks for allowing us in, for us its as simple as this.
1.God/Religion
2. Family/PSU Family
3. PSU FOOTBALL
Nothing else matters my son has these simple rules that he must follow, his daily day consist of school, after school light meal, study, after that, weight training afer that speed training, and then field drills. Then we head for dinner, and afterwards he has time to shower talk on the phone say his prayers and go to bed. so as you see he has been preparing for this all of his life he has talent, but I was once told by my college coach that hard work and work ethic is the biggest substitute for talent. So trust me in 09’ he;s going to be ready i’ll out my name on that since the day the offer come in we;ve worked even harder.

So there you have a little insight on Stephon Morris straight from me his dad every chance i get i make sure he thank god for the opp. be humbled by it, and work his but off to show his coaches, teammates and the fans how much he appreciate them for believing in him. He’s going to you guys proud!!!!

by Romedog30 on May 26, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

great to have you

I can tell you that your son’s education will be excellent, I graduated in 93 and went on to get my MD. I really believe the sky is the limit for him and any other student who works hard at PSU. My Parents, brothers, and grandparents all attended PSU and my 3 children will also. I think it is wonderful to have your input and insight into the recruiting process, so thanks for posting.

by psu on May 26, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This weekend

I had seen on rivals that you family was going up to PSU for the weekend for a visit and was hoping that Stephon would commit. I was in Florida without BSD over the holiday but was very happy to read about his commitment on rivals last night. It was even better when I logged onto BSD and got to read your insight on the recruiting process. Welcome to the PSU family! We are extremely excited to have Stephon along with the other DBs from Maryland that have commited this year! I and many others really think this could be one of the best DB classes PSU has had in sometime!

I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?

by pic15 on May 27, 2008 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tough summer for all of em" From Romedog30

Guys trust me starting Saturday i will start DB drills with all of them so they want be down here in MD. sittin on their keesters they are going to be down here gettin NCAA ready. Now that im apart of the family im no longer a collge football fan, im a PSU fan and now i hate MU, OSU, an everyone else in the big ten for that matter so there going to be ready all of the MD guys starting this weekend. And i mean we have some tough days in the hot sun ask D Will. these boys are going to pay their dues down here an then there going to get up there an pay them to yiu guys….

by Romedog30 on May 27, 2008 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Offense

I would love to see Stephon get some reps on Offense. with him and Green, we could easily turn a simple end around into Six!

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on May 27, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I managed to miss Stephon's father stopping by... :(

Just wanted to say that I am really excited to have Stephon coming to Penn State to play football, and it seems like he is a good kid who has a great attitude & personality. I’ve watched the 9 1/2 minutes worth of highlights on YouTube numerous times and it is obvious that he has learned quite a bit from his father [Roman] as well as his coaches.

I love Stephon’s passion and intensity for the game and how aggressive he is with receivers and whenever he makes a tackle. I think the word that describes his play perfectly is ‘ENTHUSIASTIC’, it just appears that he has an abundance of enthusiasm while playing the game and that is something that you can NEVER have too much of.

I also like the fact that Roman is no longer just merely a “college football fan”, but indeed a Penn State football fan. I welcome the Morris family.

by RBGmug on Jun 5, 2008 12:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs