Cornerback KeiVarae Russell graduated, and moved on to the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, but middle linebacker Nyles Morgan stepped right in to fill the best sound bite of any Notre Dame football player void. Morgan is a joy to talk to, as he usually has something interesting to say on a multitude of topics.
For instance, on the disparity between his number of freshman year and sophomore year snaps:
“It’s kind of like you feed a pit bull steak one day, and the next day he’s expecting the same, but you come back with ham. He’s hungry. So being hungry is what’s going to help me push the team this year.”
Or on what it means to take ownership/responsibility in leading the defense (he said this at ND Media Day, heading into the season):
“It’s like someone gave you the keys to a mansion- here you go! All this?!”
“You got a mansion, you got to take care of it, pay the bills, do this and do that, but it’s something you want to have, not something you want to shy away from.”
“When it comes to taking ownership of the defense, I’d say I started doing that in the spring. It was the time to be able to spread my own wings and see what happens.”
Or on why he wears #5, (a number that’s been worn by many famous players at Notre Dame such as Manti Te’o, Everett Golson and Paul Hornung).
“I had this since high school, and I just like five.”
Morgan said that people do often assume he wears #5 because of Te’o, but he has no problem telling them that no, it’s always been his number, and his deal. That said, Nyles Morgan has a great relationship with Te’o, and he’s spoken with him a few times when he’s had specific questions.
Morgan said that Jaylon Smith was like a big brother. When it comes to his ultimate role model, and all time favorite player, it’s Patrick Willis.
“He was like, the man, I was so sad when he retired, I wanted to cry. No one did it like Patrick Willis,” Morgan said.
With the graduation of Joe Schmidt, Nyles Morgan, a Crete Monee native and one time 5-star recruit took over at the mike linebacker position.
Notre Dame Football Coach Brian Kelly, after the win over Miami, on what he’s seen from Nyles Morgan this season:
“I thought he’s played very well all year.”
“I think he’s been as consistent of a player that we’ve had on defense, from Game 1 to game 8. His toughness, his demeanor and the way he comes to practice every day, there’s no — I’ll tell you what. In that locker room right now, if you’re saying who do you want in your foxhole?
“They want Nyles Morgan in their foxhole. He’s a guy that you want watching your back because he’s there every day. Every practice, he plays with toughness, and I think he’s been that consistent performer for us.”
A foxhole guy indeed. High praise, following what was probably Morgan’s most statistically impressive game thus far. He racked up the sacks and the TFLs in that win over the Hurricanes, and he’ll need to keep doing it if the Irish are going to somehow run the table the rest of the way and make a bowl bid. He didn’t have as great a game against Navy in Jacksonville, failing to penetrate the opponent’s offensive backfield, but he did tie the team’s lead in total tackles on the day.
It’s been a bad year in South Bend, all around. That’s not news. Defense, offense, special teams, the coaching staff- there’s abundant places to point fingers, as we’ve seen poor play and poor coaching everywhere.
However, Nyles Morgan has been a really bright spot, as he’s truly been a real standout performer.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.