Morgan leads SEC in tackles, announces he’s coming back

Few single players have embodied what Arkansas fans want in their Razorbacks more than linebacker Grant Morgan and his decision Friday confirmed that.

Merry Christmas! I’m not done being a Hog. My work here is unfinished. The best is yet to come. 31 is back! pic.twitter.com/lc3LmO1fil

— Grant Morgan (@grantmorgan15) December 25, 2020

An original walk-on from Greenwood, Morgan started out on special teams and progressed to this season where he was All-SEC and led the nation in tackles with 111 … before suffering a knee injury against Missouri in the third quarter.

After missing the Alabama game the next week to end the regular season, he finished second nationally behind Troy’s Carlton Martial (113). His 12.3 tackles per game are tied for the most nationally.

Morgan was not asked about coming back for another season in Tuesday’s press conference and most in the media didn’t really expect him to come back as his future plans may include medical school, which wouldn’t surprise anybody.

The guess is Morgan is like what fans want all their Hogs to be like .. they would do just about anything to get one more season of playing when their eligibility is done.

Under a normal season, he could not come back. But with covid-19 changing just about everything in the world, all seniors can come back for another season and everybody was, basically, given an extra year.

Morgan’s return gives the Hogs a powerful 1-2 combination at linebacker with Bumper Pool of experience and leadership.

Barry Odom may be the happiest guy in Northwest Arkansas on this Christmas Day. Having those two back in uniform helps the continued rebuild of a defense that had flashes of success this past season that was balanced with struggles at times.

Morgan is expected to be able to play in the Texas Bowl on New Year’s Eve against TCU in a game that starts at 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN in addition to being available here at HitThatLine.com and on ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.