Shane Morris announces he's going to Central Michigan
Former Michigan quarterback Shane Morris will play his final year of college football at Central Michigan.
Morris, who graduates from Michigan in April, will be eligible this fall to play for the Chippewas, who have gone to two straight bowl games. CMU starting quarterback Cooper Rush is now preparing for the NFL Draft, but the Chips return the rest of their starters from last season.
Morris, who visited Central last weekend, announced his transfer on Twitter: “Proud to say that I will finish my collegiate football career playing at Central Michigan University.” He added the popular CMU saying, “#FireUp.”
After committing to Michigan as a sophomore at Warren De La Salle, his career never went the direction he had anticipated. He was a backup this past season and redshirted in 2015,
He revealed earlier this month he would pursue a graduate transfer.
“It’s bittersweet,” Morris told The Detroit News after he made the announcement. “I love Michigan. I’m sad to go but excited for a new beginning.”
Morris had not planned to make any visits until after Michigan’s Orange Bowl.
“I want to go where I’ll play,” Morris said. “I definitely think (I can play right away). I’ve played enough. Haven’t played a ton, started two games and have in-game experience. I have four years of practices. I definitely have enough football. I’ve had great coaches from (Al) Borges to Nuss (Doug Nussmeier to (Jedd) Fisch. They’ve all done a good job teaching things and helped me so much.
"Next year might be my last year playing forever. I don’t know. I hope I can play a lot. If I get a chance at the NFL, I hope so because that’s been a dream. But I will have a Masters.”
Morris was a five-star recruit coming out of De La Salle. To those who think he didn’t fulfill his promise, he takes exception.
“The whole recruiting thing is hilarious, the stars and the ratings,” Morris said. “I was happy wherever I was rated. It was cool being one of the top guys. As everyone knows you have no idea how he plays until he’s on the field. I was hyped a lot. I still believe I’m as good as everyone said I was. I truly believe I will be very successful wherever I go and hopefully will be playing beyond college.”
Kalis gets invite
Former Michigan offensive lineman Kyle Kalis, who has been participating in the Shrine Game this past week, has joined a long list of former Wolverines at the Senior Bowl next week.
Kalis joins tailback De’Veon Smith, also a late add to the Senior roster, Jourdan Lewis, Ben Gedeon, Amara Darboh, Chris Wormley and Ryan Glasgow. Senior bowl practice begins Tuesday in Mobile, Ala.