Central Arkansas Adds Talented 2017 Texas TE/DE Justin Morris

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Central Arkansas went outside of the Natural State on Monday to land Dallas area talent Justin Morris. The Bears got an all-around athletic talent in the process, someone capable of playing tight end/receiver or defensive end at the next level.

Morris, listed at 6-4, 220, has been a playmaker on the field for Parish Episcopal High School since his freshman season when he pulled in 11 passes for 94 yards with two scores. The Panthers have worked him into a featured role in their offense since his junior season when he snagged 36 passes for 628 yards with nine scores. Morris followed up his breakout year topping his numbers with 39 receptions, 700 yards, and seven receiving touchdowns.

Arkansas high school football fans maybe familiar with Morris. The Panthers opened up their season playing Little Rock McClellan in the Hootens Kickoff Classic, a wild 76-50 game won by McClellan. Parish Episcopal went on to have a 7-5 season before losing to St. Pius X in the Texas High School Playoffs.

Morris has good speed for his size, capable of lining up on the outside from time to time, and does a great job of catching the ball with his hands. He uses his height well out jumping defenders on 50-50 balls and is an ideal target in the red zone.

UCA fans found out about Morris’ commitment via Twitter with a post reading, “Extremely blessed to say I will be spending the next 4 years playing football at the University of Central Arkansas.”

The win on the recruiting trail was a big one for the Bears beating out offers from Hawaii and Nevada for Morris’ verbal commitment.

Morris joins reported UCA verbal commitments safety Ashton Logan (Temple, TX), wide receiver Donte Howell (Mesquite, TX), and athlete Deandre Herman (Baytown, TX).

Photo credit: Dallas Morning News; No. 11 Justin Morris speed rushes around the end.