PISCATAWAY – Ty Morris needed a new opportunity, and Rutgers football presented just what he was looking for.
The Scarlet Knightsfaced a defensive rebuild that required an infusion of talent. Morris, highly productive the previous three seasons at Rice, provided the necessary skillset. And the opportunity to play in the Big Ten offered the linebacker a valuable chance.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for me,” Morris said following a recent training camp practice. “I want to showcase my skills to show I can do it at the G5 level as well as the P4 level, in the greatest conference in America.”
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Morris is going to get that opportunity.
He will have the chance to make a big impact on a unit that’s now led by defensive coordinator Travis Johansen, who has the task of turning around a defense that ranked among the worst in the nation last season.
Repairing the unit was one of coach Greg Schiano’s top offseason priorities.
So far, the results have been encouraging.
But right now, it’s just potential.
“Potential’s a dangerous word,” Morris said. “But I love the way we’re coming out here and walking every day. In the film room, the weight room. We’re taking a huge step forward.”
Rutgers has high hopes for Morris’ impact, and for good reason.
A Houston native, Morris started all 13 games last season for Rice. He racked up 88 tackles (9.5 for loss).
Two of Morris’ most productive games came against ranked opponents – he had six tackles against No. 22 North Texas and nine, including a sack, against No. 25 Memphis.
In 2024, Morris had 56 tackles (7.5 for loss) with four sacks.
What can Rutgers fans expect from Ty Morris?
“I bring violence,” Morris said. “I’m a field general. I finish and swarm to the ball. I’m an exciting player. And I bring leadership.”
Morris is part of a linebacker group that includes Moses Walker, Kamar Archie, Abram Wright, Isaiah Deloatch and DJ McClary, among others.
Morris said a major emphasis for the entire defense – from spring practices through the summer and now into training camp – has been forcing takeaways, something the Scarlet Knights didn’t do to the level they needed to last season.
“Practices throughout the summer, it’s been awesome seeing how much we emphasize getting to the ball, how important the ball is for the program,” Morris said. “We need that ball to be plus-2. That’s what we strive for.”
Morris still is facing an adjustment though.
Not just going from the American Athletic Conference to the Big Ten, but also to an entirely new defensive system.
But Morris so far feels good about how his grasp of what Johansen’s looking for.
“I feel like I know Coach Johansen’s scheme like the back of my hand,” Morris said. “Especially the hours me and the linebackers and the defense – even the off days and Saturdays we come in and go over the playbook. We go over the installs and stuff like that. I feel like that’s a huge jump for me to be an expert on the field in Coach Johansen’s scheme.”
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: How this Rutgers football transfer linebacker can accelerate rebuild