Feature Photo by Florida State University

Many people recall seeing Kyle Morlock in his #15 jersey racking up catches and touchdowns on Friday nights while in Blairsville for the Union County Panthers. Time flies, as we fast forward 5 years to see Morlock now playing on Saturdays for Florida State University. His road was far from easy, and he had a layover at Shorter University prior to getting to the Power 5. Now he’s a key player for the Seminoles, and it’s a dream come true.

“It was definitely a dream since I was a little kid playing pee wee football,” says Morlock. “It didn’t happen right away – I ended up at Shorter, did my time there, and ended up here. It’s awesome to be able to make that dream come true and to run out at a place like Doak [Campbell Stadium] on home games is pretty surreal.”

Morlock posted 57 catches across 3 seasons (one 2020-21 COVID season with just 3 games) at Shorter, racking up 890 yards and 11 TD. He had 362 yards and 5 TD in 2021 and followed it up with 446 yards and 6 TD in 2022 for the Hawks. He put in the work, seen and unseen, to earn offers from DI schools across the country on the heels of earning two DII All-American honors.

“It was a just a lot of hours in the weight room if I’m being honest,” he says on how it became possible. “Getting bigger, faster, stronger — that was my main thing. “Gaining weight, improving my blocking game that way. Obviously Shorter helped me do that, and I’m forever grateful for them to get me right in the weight room and to allow me to propel myself up to play Power 5 football.”

He was the #19 overall player in the transfer portal, but chose FSU over the likes of LSU, Oklahoma, Auburn, USC, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Missouri, NC State, Pitt, Illinois, Liberty, Georgia Southern, and Sam Houston State. In total, 19 offers came in over the course of 4 days. But one day after meeting with Mike Norvell, he had made up his mind.

“It was definitely the coaches,” he says on his decision. “Coach [Mike] Norvell, Coach [Chris] Thomsen; I just connected with them more than any coaches I talked to throughout that process. Coach Norvell had a really good vision. I love how real he was, how honest he was.”

Clearly there is no regret, as Morlock became an immediate impact player for the Noles, hauling in 19 catches for 255 yards, with a long of 63. He played in 14 games and started 11, and was named FSU Offensive Newcomer of the Year. His goal this year is to do even more.

“Hopefully expand my role,” states Morlock. “At the end of the day I just want to try to help as much as I can out there. If that’s more catches, more TDs, that’s great. If that’s more in the blocking game, that’s great also. Hopefully an expanded role in all aspects, and just to help the team win.”

As he enters his final year of eligibility, Morlock reflects on the biggest aspects of the game that are different going from high school to college to Power 5.

“Even from high school to Shorter, it’s still a big jump – DII football is no joke,” he adds. “Going from 200 pounds soaking wet in high school to putting some weight on before Shorter, and just increasing that even more once you get to Power 5. It was continually developing in the weight room, strength, speed of course — everything elevates the higher level you go.”

Morlock knows he didn’t get this far alone, and he’s the first to tell you it’s largely been a result of people pouring into him over the years.

“A combination of both coaches and family,” says Morlock. “Even from the first day of playing flag football, I couldn’t even tell you how old, my family provided everything I needed. Coaches like Paul McBride (who still coaches at Union) guiding me through the recruiting process when I was in high school all the way to now. He still comes to games every year at FSU. He’s been a huge role model in my life. Even the coaches at Shorter (Zach Morrison, Blake Robles) had nothing but support for me when I was in the portal. It’s a combination of coaches, family, friends that gave me a really good support system to get where I’m at today.”

So far, Morlock has 1,145 yards between Shorter and Florida State with 11 TD. That came after his high school career in which he had 1,509 yards and 15 TD. He has big plans for this season and beyond.

“This season, I want to do the best I can on the field. Do everything I can to showcase myself. Start training for the NFL combine, pro day training, hopefully play at the next, that’s the dream. That’s what’s next.”