Newly named NC State starting Quarterback MJ Morris met with the media today, and according to him, he’s ready for this opportunity.

“God blessed me with this opportunity. I prayed for this. I’ve worked hard. I’ve stayed patient. My brothers, they’ve supported me…they believe in me. That’s a good thing to have. I’m ready to go out there and play with them on Saturday.”

Even though Brennan Armstrong was named the starter back in the Spring, Coach Doeren told him that the plan was to redshirt him, but he needed to prepare every week as if he was going to be the starter.

“Even when I’m not in, even in the film room I’m always preparing like I’m starting. When I go home I’m watching film like I could play. Like I said, it’s one play away. You never know when that time is going to come. I’ve always waited, stayed patient and ready so I’m always ready when my number is called.”

All offseason, Morris has been having to learn a brand new offense entering year 2 of college football, but at this point, he feels like he has it down pat.

“I would say midway through the Summer is when I felt like I really had it down. In the Spring, it was brand new. With the help of Brennan and Coach Anae, meeting with them day in and day out, I would say now I feel really comfortable in this offense. I feel like I can execute to the best of my ability.”

Standing on the sideline with a clipboard in hand, Morris has had the ability to observe the Wolfpack offense.

“I would say we have to play with a lot more energy. Play with a lot more intensity. That’s what we’re going to do on Saturday. A lot more emotion out there. We’re going to have fun with it. It’s a game that God blessed us, that we’re able to play today. We’re going to have fun out there and play football how it’s supposed to be played.”

Morris wasn’t expected to be on the field as a True Freshman last year, and he wasn’t expected to be on the field once again this year. This time when he steps on the field, he feels like he is more mentally prepared.

“Definitely the mental aspect of it. I know as a Freshman, that was my 1st time seeing a real ACC football team. It’s a lot different from high school. But now since I’ve seen that, my mental aspect of it has been a lot faster. I feel like I’m one second faster, which is gonna make my game, my decision making a lot faster.”

A player in Morris’ position could view this situation through a lot of different lenses, but he sees it as a divine opportunity.

“It’s a great opportunity that God blessed me with. I always prayed that he shows me the way. That he has a plan for me. I will follow his plan. I’ve been through a lot. Like you said, injuries, being behind somebody. But I’ve always took that as a positive opportunity to learn from somebody, to get healthy. I’m ready for it.”

Last year, Morris saw action in 5 games, and Left Guard Lyndon Cooper saw action in 4 games, but they were never on the field at the same time. Now, the former high school teammates, will both be starting in the same offense again, this time at the collegiate level.

When I told him, it was special. He was like ‘it feels like we’re back at Carrollton.’ It’s a great feeling reuniting with him and being on the same field at the same time.”

While he’s confident in where he is mentally and physically, he’d be lying if he said he won’t have a few jitters when he runs out into Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday.

“I feel like if a football player tells you that they’re not a little jittery, a little nervous on the first play of the snap, they’re lying to you. Of course there’s going to be a little jitters. At the end of the day, I’m going in there, playing football and having fun. After that first snap, I’ll be locked in.”

(Interview)