Bernard Morris’ opening was understandable, considering the hectic fortnight that had preceded.
For nearly two weeks, Morris was dialed daily for an interview request. Marshall University’s former quarterback was somewhat distracted, however, auditioning for a professional football future -- first in Hawaii and then in Houston.
Finally on Monday afternoon, the phone rang on the other end.
“Hey, this is Bernard,” he simply offered.
Morris was back in his Orlando, Fla., hometown, but his schedule hardly has lightened. He called in between workouts in a routine that could well land the three-year Thundering Herd starter an NFL home.
It’s been a head-turning ascension. At season’s start in 2007, Morris was considered a question mark on what otherwise could have been a rebounding Thundering Herd team. Instead he was a rare constant on a 3-9 squad, passing for more than 3,000 yards and ranking second on the team with more than 400 rushing.
NFL scouts were spotted around the Shewey Building at season’s end. Then came the Hula Bowl invitation in Honolulu. Before his week in Hawaii was finished, East West Shrine Game officials extended an invite to Houston.
“It’s changed quite a bit,” Morris said. “... Having the opportunity to show my talents a little more has been great.”
Morris’ NFL stock continues to rise; he’s been invited to work out and interview with potentially every team at the upcoming NFL Combine in Indianapolis, featuring most of college football’s top prospects.
“It’s another step in a path to try to pursue my dream,” Morris said.
Step one after a sound senior season was an MVP Hula Bowl performance. He threw for 172 yards and a touchdown in the first half, leading the East to a lopsided victory. Following his second all-star appearance in as many Saturdays, Morris has settled into a six-day-a-week workout routine in Orlando.
Between now and the April 26-27 NFL Draft, Morris also will carry lessons learned from Illinois coach Ron Zook and former Super Bowl winning coach Dick Vermeil, who mentored him the past two weeks.
“Sitting down with coach Vermeil, he told me I still had a lot of raw talent,” Morris said. “He said I might not be a guy who plays right away, but if I get with a good coach you never know what can happen.”
Much of the same was said one year ago when Ahmad Bradshaw exited Marshall a year early for the NFL. Size, ball security and off-the-field issues were concerns, but the New York Giants selected the dynamic tailback in the 2007 draft’s final round.
Nine months later, Bradshaw has helped steer the wild card Giants to Super Bowl XLII against the unbeaten New England Patriots.
“I didn’t think Ahmad would be as much of a factor for the Giants this year,” Morris said. “I watched (the Giants’ 23-20 NFC Championship Game victory over Green Bay Sunday) and he played his heart out. That’s something you always expect from Ahmad.
“When he gets the ball in his hands, he’s a threat.”
The same could be said for Morris, who threw for 3,149 yards and accounted for 21 touchdowns as a senior. Marshall has proven a steady NFL pipeline, with 14 players drafted since 1998. Bradshaw will compete against four fellow former Thundering Herd standouts in the Super Bowl.
Morris was joined by Marshall teammates Doug Legursky and Marcus Fitzgerald at the Hula Bowl.
“It shows that small schools can put out good players and Marshall almost always has somebody come out every year and contribute,” Morris said. “I think that will continue this year, whether it be me or Fitz; I know for a fact Legursky will play for somebody next year.
“I just hope they contribute when their number is called.”
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