ROCKINGHAM — Ranked among the leading tacklers in the state during the 2024 high school football season, K’Mauri Morgan proved to be a valuable asset on the gridiron.
The long days of extra work for the senior linebacker at Richmond Senior High School paid dividends recently when Morgan verbally committed to play college football.
Morgan took to social media last Tuesday, the day before National Signing Day, to announce he’ll be attending Fayetteville State University.
https://twitter.com/KmauriMorgan/status/1886649666315452668
“This means a lot to me because a lot of people don't get this opportunity,” Morgan shared. “This is important because I want to go there and do good things. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to get to play at the college level and showcase my talents.
“I’m also glad to be making my family proud,” he added. “They have been helping me pursue my goal of playing college football the whole time. And this will help with my goal of being able to take care of my family while giving me the ability to have a better academic opportunity.”
Recruited as an inside and outside linebacker, Morgan received five other offers in addition to Fayetteville State — Barton College, Ferrum College, Kentucky Wesleyan College, McPherson College and St. Andrews University.
With his commitment to the Broncos, Morgan became the second Richmond Raider football player this offseason to verbally commit to a Division II program. Fellow teammate and defensive lineman Tate Simpson committed to UNC Pembroke a week earlier.
Similar to many high school football players, Morgan’s college recruitment was impacted by the transfer portal and players with an extra year of eligibility.
“The recruitment process was very stressful,” Morgan noted. “I took a lot of time and talked to a lot of coaches. Each school had a lot of good things to offer but I had to think about the long run. I considered the scholarship offers and the schools with the best academic programs.”
In making his decision, Morgan pointed to the Broncos’ coaching staff making it a priority to make it clear that he was one of their top defensive targets.
“I chose FSU because when I went on my visit, it felt like home,” he added. “I was very comfortable and could see myself there for the next four years for both academics and football.
“The coaches stayed in touch with me and that was really important. I always felt welcomed and as if I was already part of the program. That was a big part in the process.”
Morgan also said Fayetteville State was a “very entertaining place,” and that he “really liked the players” he was able to meet.
Last weekend, Morgan visited Fayetteville State and got an inside look at the Broncos’ facilities.
“Everything was so nice,” Morgan recalled. “The team atmosphere was great and everyone had a good connection, which is important to me.
“There were guys in the weight room on a Saturday in the offseason wanting to get better and build a connection. That’s what I want to be a part of in college.”
Helping the Raiders’ resurgence in 2024, Morgan led the team with 147 total tackles (64 solo, 83 assists) and finished the season as the Sandhills Athletic Conference’s leading tackler. He was second in the conference with 11.3 tackles per game, and his tackle total was fifth-best in the 4A East.
One of the leading voices on the defense, Morgan was second in the conference behind teammate Teradne Spencer with 25.0 tackles-for-loss and 12.0 quarterback sacks.
Nine different times during his senior campaign Morgan recorded double-digit tackles, including a single-game career-best 18 tackles against Seventy-First High School in the season opener.
Morgan recorded multiple TFL in eight games, including five against Lee County High School, four of which were for a sack. Ending his career in December, Morgan and teammate Joe Parsons played in the East-West All-Star Game, a senior showcase, at Grimsley High School.
Fast, physical and with a high football IQ, Morgan attributed a lot of his success to his time playing at Richmond.
“Richmond’s coaches helped me so much,” Morgan shared. “They really developed my game, whether that was in the weight room and with conditioning every week, or learning the game the right way.
“I always felt my coaches always believed in me and my abilities on the field. Playing at Richmond, I had a lot of pride to wear the Raider Diamond on Friday nights and I want to do the same when I put on an FSU jersey.”
Fayetteville State, which is coached by Richard Hayes Jr., competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Part of the Historical Black College and University system, the Broncos went 4-5 in 2024, including a 3-4 record against CIAA opponents.
“I want to thank God for this opportunity,” Morgan closed. “And also my family, most importantly my mom for all her support in chasing my dream.
“And I want to thank my coaches, teammates and teachers for helping me stay on track.”
When he’s not busy with the Fayetteville State football program, riding horses or learning the next country line dance, Morgan hopes to pursue a degree that allows him to become a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
