Devil Inside

Morgan Verbally Commits To Duke

It feels good to be wanted.

Just ask McKinney High’s Eddie Morgan.

Morgan had his football scholarship to Stanford taken away last Thursday, just 13 days before National Signing Day on Feb. 7. Less than a week later, Morgan offered a verbal commitment to Duke University on Wednesday.

"I feel like I’m lucky," said Morgan, who will take an official visit Saturday. "How many people get an offer from Stanford and then get an offer from Duke?"

Stanford pulled Morgan’s scholarship, according to Morgan’s father, Earl, because Morgan’s ranking coupled with his SAT scores were not good enough to get him admitted.

Morgan originally verbally committed to Stanford on Sept. 25. He stuck by the institution and kept good on his commitment, even after Stanford fired coach Walt Harris and replaced him with former NFL quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

Morgan selected Stanford over Duke, TCU and Air Force.

"I’ve been through a lot [the last week]," Morgan said. "You just kind of have to roll with it. Things happen for a reason.

"One door closes, another opens."

Morgan said he started e-mailing coaches immediately after learning about Stanford’s decision. He said he was in contact with Navy, Air Force and North Texas.

"I let them know I was back," Morgan said.

Morgan started both ways for McKinney, logging 86 tackles and scoring a team-high 18 touchdowns. He was named the McKinneyNews.net Elite 11 Defensive MVP and District 9-4A Special Teams MVP. Morgan scored a touchdown in every conceivable way during his career.

Verbal commitments are non-binding. The first day a student-athlete can sign a letter of intent is Wednesday.