Countdown To Kickoff: 38 Days (Jonah Morris)
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Written Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)
#38
There are now 38 days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Nobody is wearing number 38, so let’s take a look at freshman wide out Jonah Morris
Jonah Morris (Freshman)
-Height: 6’4”
-Weight: 196 pounds
-Hometown: Akron, Ohio
-Position: Wide Receiver
Deep at wide receiver, that’s one way to describe one the Hoosiers most talented position groups entering the 2016 season. Further bolstering the depth at wide receiver is incoming freshman athlete Jonah Morris.
Morris was a standout on both sides of the ball at Archbishop Hoban, where his team went on to win the state championship during his senior season.
The Akron, Ohio native was committed to Michigan State for exactly 6 months, pledging to Mark Dantonio on May 12, 2015 and on November 12 informed the Spartans that he would be looking elsewhere to further his football career.
After a visit to Bloomington on January 22, 2016, Morris decided that Indiana was the best fit for his skill-set over the likes of Notre Dame, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Pittsiburgh, Rutgers and Wisconsin, among offers from mid-major or schools in his home state of Ohio.
"First off, I want to thank God, my family, and all the colleges that believe in me and gave me the chance to play for their university," Morris wrote. "I have finally come across the school that's best for me, and I feel the best chance to achieve my ultimate goal of making it to the NFL a lot sooner, as well as as receiving a great degree.
"I will be joining the No. 1 passing offense in the Big Ten. I am officially committed to to Indiana University."
When Coach Wilson could first speak publically about the versatile athlete, he had this to say” Jonah Morris is a big receiver. He does have the skill-set to play many spots on defense. If you watch his tape he can play outside linebacker or safety, but he is a big receiver. We play with those guys and that is what we are bringing him in to play. Very, very talented.”
If this description does not immediately make you think of Cobbs and Latimer, then I do not know what else will. Both were bigger-bodied versatile athletes coming into an offense that was designed for them and Morris looks be of the same mold, possibly even more skilled from day one.
Wilson then went on to say about how Morris really pursued the Hoosiers down the final stretch of recruiting for the 2016 class.
“(He was) recruited by a lot of guys. He didn’t like some things at the end and he kind of approached us and told us that he always liked our offense and he wanted to bumped a visit and come and visit us. He said that if he liked it he was going to commit so we were excited. He kind of got in with us a little bit more than us chasing him. State championship team at Akron Hoban. We’re excited about Jonah out of Hoban.”
The question is, how quickly can Morris have an impact on the Hoosier’s offense? Well, that’s partly up to him, as we have seen in the past that Kevin Wilson has not shied away from the baptism-by-fire approach when it comes to playing true freshman, especially at wide receiver; Cody Latimer, Jay McCants, Shane Wynn, Simmie Cobbs, J-Shun Harris, Dominique Booth and Nick Westbrook all seen action during the inaugural seasons with the Cream and Crimson.
However, the other part of the equation to consider is the incredible amount of depth Indiana has at wide receiver. When Indiana opens up camp in a couple of weeks, you would find it nearly impossible to make your way around the practice facility without bumping into a wide receiver not capable of going over the century mark in receiving yards on any give Saturday this fall.
Whenever Morris starts getting consistent playing time, he looks to be a matchup nightmare for opposing cornerbacks all around the Big Ten.
Morris ended his prep career hoisting a trophy above his head. Here’s to hoping he has an opportunity to lift multiple trophies over his shoulders during his time at Indiana.
Share any memories or recollections you have of Jonah Morris as a player in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!