A watershed moment in Rob Morris' football career came early during his four-year experience at BYU.
It was a month or so into the 1993 season, and Morris, then an 18-year-old true freshman fullback, was switched to linebacker during a bye week. The linebacking corps was depleted by injuries and, as a result, struggled to stop the opponents' running game. Coach LaVell Edwards decided to move Morris to the other side of the ball. That change didn't go over well at first.
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"I knew in the back of my mind that eventually I would be a linebacker in college," Morris remembered. "But I had a hard time with the switch from fullback to linebacker. LaVell told me, 'I think you can be a great running back, but I think you can play on Sundays as a linebacker. You have the potential to go a long way.' LaVell doesn't throw out idle things like that, so I took that to heart. That transition was a big turning point. LaVell knows where a guy should be. He knew where I belonged."
Did he ever.
Almost seven years later, Morris is expected to be a first-round selection in the 2000 NFL Draft, which will be held Saturday and Sunday with 253 players being chosen over seven rounds. Coverage begins at 10 a.m. today on ESPN. Morris is one of several local collegiate players who hope to receive a phone call from an NFL team. The others are Morris' former Cougar teammates Kevin Feterik, Byron Frisch, Brian Gray and Matt Johnson; Utah's Mike Anderson and John Frank; and Utah State's Demario Brown. Also of local interest is former BYU running back Ronney Jenkins, who transferred to and played at Northern Arizona last season.
Headlining the list of local potential draftees, of course, is Morris, widely regarded as the top inside linebacker in this year's draft.
A number of prognosticators see the 6-foot-2, 247-pounder from Nampa, Idaho, going to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 28 in the first round. Seattle (No. 22) and San Francisco (No. 24) reportedly also have eyes for Morris. Morris says he has received the most interest from San Francisco, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Seattle, having made visits to St. Louis and San Francisco. But when it comes down to it, he couldn't care less where he winds up.
"There's nothing I can do about it," he explained. "I've come to grips with the fact I have no control. It's part of the business. I have no clue, no inkling of an idea. I used to think Tampa Bay, until they traded for Keyshawn Johnson and gave away their draft picks. But I'll go anywhere, coast to coast. I need to live somewhere other than Provo so I can learn to appreciate the mountains."
According to scouts and ratings services, two aspects are keeping Morris from going higher in the draft — his age and past injuries. Some teams may be scared off by the fact he is 25, which is considered almost middle-aged in the life of a pro football player. But Morris doesn't see his age as a liability at all but rather as an asset.
"That's irrelevant. I think there are teams that would love to have a guy step in as a 25-year-old leader," he said. Nor does he believe he is injury-prone, though he missed four games last season after suffering a strained abdominal muscle.
"Teams know that I'm durable," he said.
For Morris, who will watch the draft proceedings via television in Provo with family and friends, the chance to play in the NFL is something he didn't really expect while growing up.
"My dream was to play at Boise State or Idaho State, and now people are telling me I can be a first-round draft pick," Morris said. "I'm thinking that's ridiculous. I'll take it, though. I'm not complaining. I dreamed about the NFL, but it was never real to me. It was something you just watched on TV. It was kind of like people who win the lottery. They buy lottery tickets but they have no intention of winning it."
Saturday, Morris should hit the jackpot.
Here's a run-down on local players who have the best shot of being drafted this weekend:
BYU
KEVIN FETERIK, QB, 6-0, 207 — Though he is undersized and has marginal arm strength, Feterik understands the West Coast, ball-control style of passing game employed by so many NFL teams. That's why some scouts believe he could wind up as a practice squad quarterback in the NFL. The Sporting News rates him as being among the top 15 quarterbacks in the draft and predicts he'll be selected in the seventh round. More likely, though, is that he will end up in the Canadian Football League.
Projection: If he's drafted, it will be in the late rounds.
BYRON FRISCH, DL, 6-4 , 281 — His combine workouts did nothing but help his stock. Frisch bench presses nearly 500 pounds and has been clocked at 4.65 in the 40-yard dash on an indoor surface. He is quick off the ball and uses his strength to get to the quarterback. He is rated the No. 5 defensive end in the draft by The Sporting News. His hometown team, the San Diego Chargers, are said to have a lot of interest in him.
Projection: Could go as high as the second round and is not expected to drop past the fourth round.
BRIAN GRAY, DB, 6-2, 215 — Gray didn't help himself with a poor showing at the combines. While scouts love his size, they don't love his slow feet. The biggest problem for Gray is where he'll play at the next level. He was a cornerback in college, but he's not fast enough to play that position in the NFL. Nor is he physical enough to play safety. Teams wonder about his discipline and technique.
Projection: Could be a late-round pick. Will probably sign a free-agent contract.
MATT JOHNSON, OL, 6-4, 330 — Johnson has put himself in a fairly good position after scoring well in tests at the combine. He bench-presses more than 500 pounds. The Sporting News considers him to be the most underrated offensive guard in the draft and believes he'll be a fourth-round pick. One knock on him is his age — he'll be 27-year-old rookie.
Projection: Might be a mid-to-late rounder.
CARLOS NUNO, TE, 6-4, 262 — Though Nuno caught only 24 career passes at BYU, teams reportedly like his size and potential to be a blocking tight end. One ratings service referred to him as "an enigma as both a football player and an athlete."
Projection: Could go late but likely will sign a free-agent contract.
UTAH
MIKE ANDERSON, RB, 6-0, 230 — For a guy who never played sports in high school and spent four years in the Marines before enrolling at a junior college and taking up football, it's amazing that Anderson is knocking on the NFL door. He has a good speed, deceptive quickness and is effective running outside. When he's healthy, he productive. However, he is 27 years old and was seldom used as a pass-catcher while at Utah. His performance in the Las Vegas Bowl 254 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns — was memorable.
Projection: He could be taken somewhere in the fourth- or fifth-round range.
JOHN FRANK, DL, 6-4, 280 — The Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year is tough, strong and has good athleticism. Frank proved to be one of the strongest at his position at the combines, bench pressing 440, and he has a vertical leap of 37.4 inches. A late-bloomer who improved every year he was a Ute, The Sporting News has him listed as the 14th best defensive end in the draft.
Projection: Is expected to be picked as high as the third round and as low as the seventh.
UTAH STATE
DEMARIO BROWN, RB, 6-0, 212 — Brown had an outstanding senior campaign, rushing for 1,536 yards, which has significantly boosted his draft status. He also showed he has good hands, catching 26 passes for 282 yards, and a nose for the end zone, scoring 15 touchdowns.
Projection: Could be a mid-round selection.