By AARON SHILL
After learning that All-WAC offensive tackle John Tait was turning in his BYU uniform to enter the NFL draft, the BYU football team kept its returning defense intact as linebacker Rob Morris announced he will remain in school for his senior year.
“After much thought about my future, I have decided to return to BYU for my senior season,” Morris said in a press release.
Morris anchored a stingy Cougar defense that allowed only 273.9 yards per game. BYU ranked fifth in the nation in total defense before getting bombarded by Tulane in the Liberty Bowl in BYU’s 41-27 loss.
The 6-2, 250 pound linebacker was named the 1998 Western Athletic Conference Pacific Division Player of the Year after racking up 147 tackles and six sacks.
Morris will return for some unfinished business, both in the classroom and on the field.
“I plan to finish my degree next year,” he said. “I also believe in and support the coaching staff and my teammates. I have confidence we can win the first Mountain West Conference championship next year.”
Morris will once again lead a linebacking group that will lose seniors Derik Stevenson and Brad Martin to graduation. The Cougars, however, will return a deep defense featuring Morris, cornerback Brian Gray and defensive lineman Byron Frisch.
