Temple University Athletics
OL Darius Morris
Darius Morris: Down to Business
9.3.10 | Football
Gameday Program Feature Story
by Cathy Bongiovi, Athletic Communications
For senior Darius Morris, this is the year-- his final season in the Cherry & White. He will leave Temple with a degree in communications and be a part of its football history forever.
Named a first-team All-MAC honoree last fall as well as the team's 2009 Offensive MVP as a member of the offensive line, Morris also received the 2009 Top Hog Award as the team's best offensive lineman. The Long Branch, N.J., native hopes that his hard work in the offseason will help him this fall.
“It meant a lot to me, because I worked very hard to get where I was last year,” Morris said. “Hopefully I'll be better this year. I would not have been able to do it without my coaches and teammates.”
The right tackle played in all 13 games with 11 starts in 2009. For his final season, he'd like to build upon what the team started last year.
“As an individual, I'd like to hopefully earn first-team All-MAC again and stay healthy,” he shared.
“As a team, hopefully we'll do better than we did last year.”
Morris has been a part of the growing process during his tenure. As a true freshman in 2006, Morris came to North Broad Street a strapping 290 lbs. He played in 10 games, just one of 22 true freshmen to see game action. As a sophomore, he played in nine games, earning a starting role for four games. He returned to action last fall after redshirting in 2008.
“Darius brings incredible leadership and energy,” said Andrew Dees, the offensive line coach. “He plays the game with a lot of passion. I think he's becoming way more vocal than he was in the past.”
Now with 30 pounds of added muscle, Morris is ready to tackle his last season and help the Owls to even greater heights. And he has earned the respect of his teammates along the way.
“Darius is a high-energy player. Every play, every rep, everything we do that involves run blocking or pass blocking, he brings a lot of energy,” said Heisman Trophy candidate Bernard Pierce. “I know if some people are slacking off, he'll tend to yell at them. Not in a mean way, but inspirationally, saying 'Come on, we need to pick this up.' I think he's an amazing athlete, and he puts the team first before he puts himself in all cases.”
Fellow offensive lineman and former roommate John Palumbo agrees.
“He's definitely a leader. A lot of the younger guys look up to him,” Palumbo said. “He's a big joker on the offensive line, but I think that's why he gets a lot of respect because of his play. He knows the offense very well, and he's a good role model for the younger players.”
The oldest of four children, Morris hopes to expand his influence over younger players after graduation.
“I want to coach,” Morris said. “Hopefully at the collegiate level, but I'll probably start out at high school.”
“I think he'd make a great coach,” Palumbo said. “He has a lot of passion for the game, and he loves being around the team. He knows the game well, and he'd be able to teach players.”
“Yes, I can definitely see him as a coach. He's learned a lot of football. The first two years, I would have said no way,” Dees said with a laugh. “But the last three years, he's come along great, and we're excited about him.”
In addition to his business-like attitude, Morris can be quite the jokester. His humor has helped the team through tough times.
“Darius' whole personality and aura-- he's brutally honest, but it's funny the way he says it,” Palumbo said. “Whatever's on his mind, he has no hesitation to say it. That's what I find funny.”
In his free time, Morris likes to relax. Thanks to Palumbo's influence, the duo regularly watches MTV's Jersey Shore together.
“No, (it's not like home),” Morris said. “It's because of John Palumbo. He loves that show.”
“A lot of the guys make fun of me about the Jersey Shore, and they call me the 'Situation', Palumbo added. “I just told Darius to watch the show, and now he's hooked on it. He waits for it.”
While the offensive line enjoys its limited free time, Morris knows he's ready for business.
For senior Darius Morris, this is the year-- his final season in the Cherry & White. He will leave Temple with a degree in communications and be a part of its football history forever.
Named a first-team All-MAC honoree last fall as well as the team's 2009 Offensive MVP as a member of the offensive line, Morris also received the 2009 Top Hog Award as the team's best offensive lineman. The Long Branch, N.J., native hopes that his hard work in the offseason will help him this fall.
“It meant a lot to me, because I worked very hard to get where I was last year,” Morris said. “Hopefully I'll be better this year. I would not have been able to do it without my coaches and teammates.”
The right tackle played in all 13 games with 11 starts in 2009. For his final season, he'd like to build upon what the team started last year.
“As an individual, I'd like to hopefully earn first-team All-MAC again and stay healthy,” he shared.
“As a team, hopefully we'll do better than we did last year.”
Morris has been a part of the growing process during his tenure. As a true freshman in 2006, Morris came to North Broad Street a strapping 290 lbs. He played in 10 games, just one of 22 true freshmen to see game action. As a sophomore, he played in nine games, earning a starting role for four games. He returned to action last fall after redshirting in 2008.
“Darius brings incredible leadership and energy,” said Andrew Dees, the offensive line coach. “He plays the game with a lot of passion. I think he's becoming way more vocal than he was in the past.”
Now with 30 pounds of added muscle, Morris is ready to tackle his last season and help the Owls to even greater heights. And he has earned the respect of his teammates along the way.
“Darius is a high-energy player. Every play, every rep, everything we do that involves run blocking or pass blocking, he brings a lot of energy,” said Heisman Trophy candidate Bernard Pierce. “I know if some people are slacking off, he'll tend to yell at them. Not in a mean way, but inspirationally, saying 'Come on, we need to pick this up.' I think he's an amazing athlete, and he puts the team first before he puts himself in all cases.”
Fellow offensive lineman and former roommate John Palumbo agrees.
“He's definitely a leader. A lot of the younger guys look up to him,” Palumbo said. “He's a big joker on the offensive line, but I think that's why he gets a lot of respect because of his play. He knows the offense very well, and he's a good role model for the younger players.”
The oldest of four children, Morris hopes to expand his influence over younger players after graduation.
“I want to coach,” Morris said. “Hopefully at the collegiate level, but I'll probably start out at high school.”
“I think he'd make a great coach,” Palumbo said. “He has a lot of passion for the game, and he loves being around the team. He knows the game well, and he'd be able to teach players.”
“Yes, I can definitely see him as a coach. He's learned a lot of football. The first two years, I would have said no way,” Dees said with a laugh. “But the last three years, he's come along great, and we're excited about him.”
In addition to his business-like attitude, Morris can be quite the jokester. His humor has helped the team through tough times.
“Darius' whole personality and aura-- he's brutally honest, but it's funny the way he says it,” Palumbo said. “Whatever's on his mind, he has no hesitation to say it. That's what I find funny.”
In his free time, Morris likes to relax. Thanks to Palumbo's influence, the duo regularly watches MTV's Jersey Shore together.
“No, (it's not like home),” Morris said. “It's because of John Palumbo. He loves that show.”
“A lot of the guys make fun of me about the Jersey Shore, and they call me the 'Situation', Palumbo added. “I just told Darius to watch the show, and now he's hooked on it. He waits for it.”
While the offensive line enjoys its limited free time, Morris knows he's ready for business.
Tuesday, June 02
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Tuesday, May 19
Tuesday, May 05
