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TE, 6'4, 270, 4.7, 355 bp
Miami, FL
Nickname: Jay
High School: Carol City
HS Number: 84
Second Choice: Missouri
Committed: February 4, 1998
Family Ties: Brother of Derrick Thomas
Academic Status: Not Qualified
Stats
HS Junior Season
Receptions
- 10 receptions
- 250 yards
- 3 TDs
HS Senior Season
Receptions
- 8 receptions
- 220 yards
- 3 TDs
Honors
- All-County
- All-Area
- All Dade County Honorable Mention
Stories
Following Derrick’s Footsteps
Johnovan Morgan was only eight years old when his brother, Derrick Thomas, played for Alabama. But Morgan will never forget watching Thomas wreak havoc on Tide opponents.
"I used to watch all the Alabama games on TV," Morgan says. "It was amazing to see him on TV. Sometimes it was hard to believe that it was actually my brother out there. But when he’d come home from Alabama, he was the same big brother that I always knew."
Thomas, who won the Butkus Award for the nation’s top LB in ’88, still holds the Alabama record of 52 career sacks.
Ironically, Morgan’s fondest memory of his big brother’s playing is not of one of those patented sacks.
"The game I remember the most was in his senior year [The Sun Bowl, vs. Army]. He blocked a field goal that turned out to be the difference in the game [Alabama won 29-28]."
Morgan says that Thomas still follows the Tide religiously.
"He gets into their games. He’ll get real nervous sometimes. I know when he’s nervous because he’ll start chewing tobacco."
"He came to my state championship game this year. Mom said that he had a chew in his mouth the whole game."
Thomas will be doubly nervous now that little brother will be playing for the Tide.
"He was glad that I signed with Alabama. He told me that I better do good."
Make Every Catch Count
Johnovan Morgan didn’t catch so many passes that he can’t remember his favorite.
It was in last season’s game against Miami High. Morgan slipped past the line of scrimmage and caught a short pop pass.
"I saw three defenders coming at me. I ran over the first one. The next two hit me at about the same time. I ran over both of them. I thought I was going to score. But I tripped over all of the fallen bodies."
During his HS career Morgan caught only 18 passes, but six of those were for TDs.
About Those Grades
Will Johnovan Morgan qualify, or will he begin his career in JUCO?
"I think that I’ll make it. All I need to do is pass the ACT or SAT."
He has a 15 on the ACT, but to be eligible next season he must score at least a 17.
Derrick & Johnovan at A-Day
Johnovan Morgan and Derrick Thomas will be in Tuscaloosa for the A-Day game on Saturday, April 18th.
Q&A
TI: How much did Derrick have to do with your signing with Alabama?
JM: He had a lot to do with it. He knows Coach DuBose real good. He recommended that I take a good look at Alabama because of their academics, too.
TI: Johnovan, you didn’t take an official visit to Alabama. Why not?
JM: The weekend I was scheduled to visit I had to take a test, so I couldn’t go. I have been up there so many times that I already know everything about it.
TI: Did you give any other schools consideration?
JM: I liked Missouri a lot. I was impressed with their coaches. But I knew that I was going to Alabama.
TI: What do you like about Alabama?
JM: I became pretty good friends with some of the players up there. Fernando Bryant’s a real good guy. I really like him. We had a good time when I went up there last Spring.
TI: Describe yourself as a tight end.
JM: I can do it all. I’m 6’4, 270 pounds and run about a 4.6. I use my size to be a good blocker. My speed and hands make me a good receiver.
TI: Your reputation was primarily built on your blocking ability. Do you like to block?
JM: I just like hitting people. That’s what blocking is -- hitting people.
TI: Have you set any goals for next season?
JM: Not really. I just want to be the best player I can be.
TI: What about for the team. Do you expect Alabama to turn it around anytime soon?
JM: I was talking to some of the other recruits who signed with Alabama about how we need to go in there and help the team get turned around. We have to do it.
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