Holding yourself to a high standard is a key component in achieving greatness.
Now that he’s a junior and looks to be the Huskers’ go-to wide receiver, Stanley Morgan Jr. knows that the time is now. Over the past two seasons he has put up modest numbers hauling in 58 passes for 757 yards and three scores, but there is an expectation that Morgan will eclipse his career totals with 2017 production.
How does he get there?
“Ask more of himself,” wide receivers coach Keith Williams said. “There’s a next level to your game. Anytime you play there is another level to go to. So at this stage of his career, just ask more of himself everyday. It starts in practice. Ask more of yourself in defensive recognition, the nuances of the play, maybe learn multiple positions. Just ask more of yourself.”
There is another component to Morgan taking the next step in his development. As one of the most experienced players in the receiver room, he is expected to show leadership qualities as well. Williams clearly set the bar on what he is requiring from Morgan in that department.
“I do expect him to be a leader. He expects that of himself. I knew him in high school at St. Augustine and he was a leader there when it was his turn,” Williams said. “He’s a guy that was raised to wait until his time and now it is time.
“He’s been around some good players in our room while he’s been at Nebraska. He’s watched them work and watched their approach to practice every day and he knows where he needs to be and he’s accepted that and I expect that from him.”
Now that the blueprint has been laid out for Morgan, Williams knows that the potential is there for greatness. He just has to put it on film.
“I’m just working hard every day,” Morgan said in response to hearing Williams’ expectations. “I will take [those expectations] any day. That’s exactly where I see myself. I’m hard on myself and I want to do great things.”
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
