Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in March 2020. James Morgan, a Green Bay native, is trying to get a spot on the Jets’ roster. The Jets are currently in Green Bay for joint practices as well as Saturday’s match against the Packers.
GREEN BAY WIS. — This city has been home to more great quarterback play than any other NFL location over the past 30 years. James MorganShould not occur more often than every 32-years.
However, it has been this long since a Green Bay High School football player heard his name in the NFL Draft.
Morgan, draft eligible this year, could not name the latest one. Bud Keyes was the 10th-round selection (No. The hometown Packers were ranked 256 in the 1988 NFL Draft.
Why would he?
Morgan had the option to see Bart Starr’s statue every day, as well as quarterbacks like Brett Favre. Aaron RodgersPlaying down the street to idolize
“I was [Favre’s No.]From 4 to 8th grade, I moved to high school. [Rodgers’]Morgan said 12 last week during the NFL scouting Combine. Morgan said, “I’ll let the dots connect on that one.”
Morgan says it isn’t about the number of dots on a piece of paper but more about how to get there.
It’s mail!
Bryn Renner had the email in his inbox for 33 consecutive days before finally opening it. He thought it was the same email he had received from Florida International University’s recruitment coordinator.
James Morgan. My name is James Morgan, a Bowling Green State University graduate transfer quarterback with two years remaining in my eligibility
Renner stated, “But this sounds terrible, but I don’t go through my email a lot. It gets too cluttered with the, ‘Hey this child can play, this student can do that.’
Renner read Morgan’s message, but Renner realized one thing: that there was a need for a head coach. FIU was just wrapping up the 2017 season. Alex McGough under center. McGough guided the Panthers to an 8-win season, and they won their first bowl game since 2006. McGough is currently on the Houston TexansThis was the first draft of the Seattle SeahawksThe seventh round.
The morning of January 3, 2018, was it? Renner was with other FIU employees when they met coach Butch Davis, at 7:15 a.m. to discuss returning players next season as well as recruits.
Renner stated, “It is about 6:30 AM and I have to find something.” It was James’ email that I typed into the search box. “I read the email.”
The date was December 1, 2017.
The Falcons have given me over 3300 yards of throwing and I have 25 touchdowns. This is in just 14 seasons. Because I have decided to transfer and will immediately be eligible for two years after my May graduation, I am reaching out. Over the past two years I’ve provided film of myself as well as release papers…
Renner started by opening YouTube and searching for highlights. Renner found the highlights immediately. a video of Morgan miked up for a spring practice
He didn’t know that Morgan and he shared a bond that reached back all the way to Morgan’s home town. Morgan played at Ashwaubenon High football, which is just 1.4 mi from Lambeau Field. Bill Renner, Renner’s dad, was a punter for parts of the Packers in 1986 and 1987.
He also didn’t realize the rarity of professional quarterbacks coming from Green Bay.
Renner explained, “It felt very much like it had something to prove.” I like people with that kind of motivation because it shows you are doing this for a greater purpose.
Please send me more information. Your program is very interesting to me. My biggest desire is for a program that allows me to compete for a start spot. My abilities are unquestioned and I will do whatever it takes to win this sport that I love. Also, I am looking for Coaches with a solid understanding of the offense and who can prepare me for my goal to play at the highest level. I am confident that I will be able to greatly assist your team in achieving their goals and continuing the hard work you have put into it.
Renner spent most of the day (and into the evening) watching Morgan’s game tape at Bowling Green. Morgan had been playing for part of two years there before the coaching changes prompted him to transfer. Morgan, who earned all his Advanced Placement credits in highschool, graduated from Bowling Green within three years. This included both his redshirt and playing year.
Morgan explained that she had sent an email block to “60 coaches”, three of which were from the 20 schools Morgan chose. Bryn Renner of FIU was the only one to respond.
“Crazy, how it worked!”
Morgan was awarded the starting position right away and led FIU to two consecutive bowl games. He threw for 5,312 yard with 40 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and had a total of 51312 yards.
Morgan explained that “it just so happened it to be the best situation for me.” They were searching for a qualified quarterback. This was exactly the offense and coaches that I desired, including Butch Davis. Amazing how that worked.
You can only get better.
Morgan was a star at the East West Shrine Game and received an invitation to join the combine. He impressed both coaches and scouts throughout the week. Morgan was 6’4″ and 213 pounds. He entered the combine as ninth-ranked quarterback. Mel Kiper Jr.’s position rankingsThat was not a problem. In each of the last four years, no fewer than 10 quarterbacks were drafted.
Morgan understands the difficulties Morgan will face, but Morgan has also seen his local team make it. Last year was the first time that there were Max ScharpingTexans’ second-round selection from Green Bay Southwest High was drafted by. He started the majority of the season as guard. And Alec IngoldBay Port High’s undrafted agent, who was a fullback for the Raiders.
Morgan stated, “I think there is an unfair stigma associated with high school football players in Green Bay or Wisconsin where you are really underrecruited.” Morgan stated, “It’s exciting to possibly be considered part in that changing stereotype.”
This draft class also includes a Wisconsin-born quarterback: Iowa’s Nate StanleyMenomonie also trained at the combine this week.
Brian Gutekunst, Packers general manager, said that “it does wonders for the local pro day.” There are places such as Miami, San Francisco, and others where 200 men can be rolled through.
It’s pretty cool to actually have an Ashwaubenon prospect in the NFL. Although we’ve seen a couple of other prospects in the past two years, many years there weren’t any local pros.
Keyes is the latest Green Bay-bred quarterback who was drafted. Morgan hopes to have the chance to do the same.
Keyes is now 54 years old and lives in Madison, Wisconsin. Keyes said, “It didn’t matter where or who I was drafted,”. “Obviously I was drafted by Packers. I grew-up in Green Bay. I am probably the most knowledgeable person to have been in the draft.”
Renner had Morgan sign an email copy before he left FIU. He still has it hanging on his wall.
Renner stated, “No one is more deserving than him.” “When he sent that email, it’s putting your résumé on the line and saying, ‘Please take a chance on me.’ You don’t always get the chance, but he did everything he could to make it work.
Thank you! I appreciate your time and consideration. Please let me know if you have any other questions.