University of Georgia Athletics
A Quick Chat With ... Marshall Morgan
November 25, 2015 | Football
By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
One of the highlights of Georgia kicker Marshall Morgan's career came against Georgia Tech, the Bulldogs' opponent this week in their regular-season finale. A year ago, Morgan ran for 28 yards and a first down on a fake field goal. For a kicker, it was a rare moment of glory with the ball in his hands.
Morgan, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is wrapping up a very good career in which he has scored the third-most career points, 396 and counting, of any player in SEC history. The only ones ahead of him are former Georgia kickers Blair Walsh (412) and Billy Bennett (409).
While Morgan hasn't yet turned his attention to trying to kick in the NFL next season, during a recent quick chat he did discuss the NFL's switch to a longer, 33-yard extra point. He also talked about post-game meals, focusing on kicking while still very young and much more.
Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: If you could have played with or against anyone in history, who would it be?
Morgan: I used to be a big Ricky Williams fan, so maybe to be on his (Miami Dolphis) team with all the old guys like Jason Taylor.
Frierson: What did you think when they moved the extra point back in the NFL?
Morgan: I thought it was a good idea, honestly, because the NFL was like 99 percent makes, and just this week I saw Matt Prater of the Lions miss two in one game. It's making a big difference in scoring and the outcomes of the games.
Frierson: When you think back to your high school days, is there a moment that stands out as just one of those pure, blissful moments that you'll carry with you forever?
Morgan: In high school I made a 60-yarder, but they called it a 59 because it was (spotted) right in the middle. I'll probably remember that kick for the rest of my life. It was a big one, it was in a district game and it felt pretty good to make.
Frierson: Did you know it was in the whole way?
Morgan: Yeah, I hit it and I just turned and celebrated.
Frierson: Say it's the night after a game and you can pig out on anything, what are you ordering?
Morgan: Probably some barbecue. Sonny's BBQ. That's the best.
Frierson: If you could have played any other sport for the Bulldogs, what would it be?
Morgan: I like swimming and diving. I was a lifeguard two years ago, in the summer. I'm not good at basketball and they don't have soccer, so I can't pick that.
Frierson: That's the first swimming and diving that I've heard. I get a lot of golf.
Morgan: Golf! I didn't even ... golf. That totally slipped my mind.
[For more on Morgan, Georgia football players and golf, click here: Dogs Love Golf]
Frierson: What do you do to get away from sports? In the quiet moments of your day, which may be few and far between, how do you spend your time?
Morgan: I eat a lot of food, watch some Netflix, try to do some homework and hang out with some of the boys. I room with (running back Keith Marshall), so that's pretty fun. We watch the games and just chill.
Frierson: Netflix has obviously exploded in the last few years, so what are you watching?
Morgan: I watched "The Walking Dead," I watched "House of Cards" and "Bates Motel." There's a bunch of good series on there.
Frierson: Do you watch a lot of soccer?
Morgan: I do not watch any soccer.
Frierson: I assumed you played, so I figured you'd be watching.
Morgan: I played up until eighth grade and then, just football.
Frierson: When did you know kicking was something you could do at a pretty high level and you started getting serious about it?
Morgan: I kicked in sixth grade and all the coaches told my parents that they saw something and to get me in camps and try to get him some exposure. I was a big skateboarder back then and so I quit (football) the next year, I didn't want to do it, because all they wanted me to do was kick. But I liked playing defensive end.
I was getting teased by everyone, like, "you're just a kicker" and "you don't do anything in practice," which I'm fine with here because people see how important the kicker is. Back in rec league, I didn't understand that. And my coach, I saw him in a restaurant, and he signed a napkin saying I could play (a position) that year, he promised, and he says he still has that napkin.
I was glad he made me come back because that was when I really started to take it seriously.
Frierson: So in sixth grade somebody saw something? What did they see?
Morgan: I think I was hitting 40-yarders, and back then that was a big deal. That was like my long.
Frierson: What's the longest you've ever hit in practice?
Morgan: I think last week I hit a 60 or 61, because they were going to practice returning it in case a field goal came up short (practicing for the Auburn Kick Six in other words: Kick Six), but I didn't give them an opportunity.
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
