Morris' early experience helps him stand out now

Air Force outside linebacker Andre Morris Jr. was about four months removed from high school and less than two months removed from basic training.

But because of injuries to Hunter Altman and Julian Madrid, Morris was thrust into the starting lineup for the Falcons’ fourth game of the 2007 season — against eventual Mountain West Conference champ BYU, no less.

“That game went kind of fast,” Morris, now a junior, said earlier this week. “Coming straight out of high school, not really knowing the situations, not really seeing everything, everything came at me pretty quick.”

Morris was one of just three freshmen to play in every game in 2007, and last year he started 11 games. “We put a lot on him,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said.

But that experience should pay big-time dividends this season. Always physically imposing (he has 235 solid pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame) and athletically impressive (he played quarterback in addition to defense in high school), Morris said he’s now “more mature.”

“I know the defense a lot better, and I’m able to play faster because I don’t have to think as much,” he said. “It’s just night and day. A pretty big difference.”

Morris made 33 tackles with a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery in 2008. Even more is expected in 2009.
“He’ll be an intriguing one to follow here in the next year and a half,” Calhoun said.