Last May, Morice Blackwell became the ninth pledge in Texas’s 2021 recruiting class. Now a signee, Blackwell will look to become a playmaker for the Longhorns on defense when he arrives on campus.
According to the 247Sports Composite, the four-star linebacker was ranked as the 49th best player in the state of Texas’s 2021 recruiting cycle.
Senior Season Statistics (Via: MaxPreps)
- Defense: 95 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble and 1 sack.
Strengths:
To begin, Blackwell is an absolute tackling machine. In 2020, he totaled 95 tackles in just 10 games. Additionally, Blackwell tallied a total of 335 tackles throughout his Arlington Martin career. So, what makes Blackwell such a football magnet? Well, a major factor is Blackwell’s reaction time. He is quite skilled at quickly diagnosing an offense’s play and then getting a good jump on the football.
In addition to Blackwell’s reaction time and overall football awareness, his athleticism is what makes him stand out. Blackwell displays this athleticism as soon as the ball is snapped and, seemingly, flies to the football. Also, Blackwell showcases a bit of a mean streak from the linebacker position and is not afraid to supply a big hit.
Needs Improvement:
While Blackwell is already in great shape, he, like most recruits coming out of high school, will need to add more weight to his frame. Of course, this is where Texas’s director of football performance, Torre Becton, will come in handy with his strength and conditioning program. If Blackwell can add more mass to his frame while continuing to make strives in his overall agility, he will be a nightmare for opposing coaches.
What I See:
Blackwell was a standout player for one of Texas’s premier high school football programs, in Arlington Martin, and has been ingrained in a winning culture. I love to watch Blackwell at the linebacker position because his motor and determination are readily visible on every single snap. As a result, I think that he will put in the work to improve his game year over year, ultimately rewarding himself with a featured spot on Texas’s defense. Additionally, I think that Blackwell has long-term NFL Draft potential thanks to his athleticism. Overall, I am excited to see how his career unfolds during his time on the Forty Acres.
