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morris VIRGIL

Morris Virgil has overcome enormous odds to become one of Illinois' best defenders. He is a determined individual who made the most of himself as a football player and as a man.

A product of the projects and foster homes, Virgil came into his own when his adoptive father introduced him to sports. Known as the fastest player on the team, Morris has great instincts and versatility. He was recruited as a running back and played that position for two years. When the defense at Illinois was struggling, Morris was asked to make the move to the other side of the ball, where he has had great success as both a strong safety and a free safety.

Morris has more than proved himself on the playing fields of football and life. His positive attitude, athleticism, team-first ethic and perseverance will make him a sought-after addition to any team.

ARTICLES:

• Hot Prospect
• Herald & Review Article, August, 2005
• Daily Illini, August, 2005
• CSTV article - Graduation, May, 2005

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2005 Season

• Lott Award Candidate;
• Transitioned to a new defensive scheme with coaching staff change;
• Considered team leader;
• Had three tackles against Ohio State;
• Returned from a shoulder injury and had four solo tackles at Indiana;
• Moved from strong safety to free safety this year;
• Averaging 6.0 tackles/game;
• Had one TFL against MSU;
• Led the Illini with a career-high in tackles (12) with eight solo and four assisted against Rutgers;
• Also added one PBU vs. Rutgers.

2004 Season

• Former running back moved to safety during spring practice;
• Started all 11 games at strong safety;
• Third on the team and 20th in the Big Ten with 78 tackles (7.1 average);
• Tied for the team lead in tackles vs. Indiana with seven;
• Had seven tackles and a PBU vs. Iowa;
• Totaled nine tackles vs. Michigan;
• Recorded a career-high 10 tackles for the third straight game at Michigan State;
• Had 10 tackles at Wisconsin with one TFL and one PBU;
• Set original career high with 10 tackles vs. Purdue, with one TFL and one PBU;
• Made three tackles and had an interception and a PBU vs. Northwestern;
• Recorded first career interception vs. Western Michigan;
• Also had seven tackles vs. WMU;
• Made four stops and had a PBU vs. Minnesota;
• Fastest player on the Illinois squad.

2003 Season

• Played in 10 games;
• Had 21 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown;
• Caught two passes for nine yards and returned three kicks for 68 yards;
• Rolled up 84 yards and one touchdown vs. Illinois State;
• Ran six times for 22 yards vs. California;
• Made one catch for four yards and returned one kick for 25 yards at UCLA.

2002 Season

• Played in the first seven games as a running back and kick returner;
• Illinois' team leader in kickoff returns, with 332 yards;
• Third on the team in all-purpose yards with 78.3 ypg;
• Was the Illini's change-of-pace back and showed his breakaway ability in the home-opener vs. Arkansas State when he had a career-high 12 carries for a career-high 131 yards;
• Also had a 69-yard TD tote that, at the time, was the longest scoring run for the Illini since 1988;
• Also scored three touchdowns and had 178 all-purpose yards vs. the Indians;
• Had six carries for 42 yards vs. Michigan;
• Had a career-long 36-yard kick return vs. the Wolverines;
• Suffered a season-ending leg injury vs. Purdue.

2001 Season

• Redshirted.

High School

• Earned three football letters under Coach Alec Anderson at Urbana High School in Urbana, IL;
• Rushed for 1,585 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior;
• Broke school records for most rushing yards, most touchdowns and most points scored in a season, as well as for total career yards;
• USA Today honorable mention All-American;
• Earned first-team All-Conference honors;
• Scored five touchdowns (two punt returns, one kickoff return and two rushing TDs) against Champaign Central;
• Named to the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times All-State team;
• Earned All-State honors from the Champaign News-Gazette;
• Rated as a top running back by Tom Lemming, ESPN.com and Rivals.com;
• Played in the All-State Shrine All-Star game;
• Also earned four track and field letters;
• Ran the 100 meters in 10.3, an Urbana High School track record;
• Finished fourth in the 200 meters (22.24) and fifth in the 100 meters (10.79) at the 2001 IHSA Outdoor Track Meet.

Other Interesting Tidbits

• Received degree after four years in May, 2005 and was the first in his family to do so. By doing so, Morris earned himself another year of eligibility;
• Two-year member of honor roll;
• Lists Peter Warrick as his favorite athlete.

CAREER HIGHS

CAREER STATISTICS

DEFENSIVE

RUSHING

KICK RETURNS

• 5'10, 210 pounds
• Safety
• University of Illinois
• Fastest player on the team and former running back

2006 Combine/Pro Day Results

• 40-yard dash - 4.43 sec
• Bench Press - 19 reps
• Short Shuttle - 4.07 sec
• Vertical - 35 inches
• Broad Jump - 10 feet

"Morris is very athletic and very talented. He has great reactions and is an unselfish player. He was definitely the fastest guy on the team.", Ron Zook, Head Coach, University of Illinois

"Morris Virgil is a rising playmaker...The former running back has become one of the team's best defenders using his great speed as a big hitting safety.", collegefootballnews.com