Alabama Football: Get Ready for a Walk-On Who Walks the Straight and Narrow

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

This week I did an article on the 25 most beloved people at Alabama. I was reminded of Rashad Johnson. He was a high school running back that no big school wanted and went on to become a safety, a team captain, an All-American and an NFL early pick.

Today Alabama accepted another walk on, a young man that no big school wanted, he is a linebacker in high school and Nick Saban asked if he'd learn safety. He said yes and agreed to walk on.

That young man is Taylor Morton, a senior at Bibb County High School who played outside linebacker and any other position they needed.

This is a young man I will watch intently for his years at Tuscaloosa. His will be a fairy tale story if he does what Rashad Johnson did, and I fully expect him to one day start.

He shows up for his physical on April 16 and can start working out with the team on May 31.

Every young man that comes to Tuscaloosa can play football, not all can be a leader.

Every young man that comes to Tuscaloosa to play football has talent, not all have unflinching faith.

Every young man that comes to Tuscaloosa to play football has a story, no one has one like this.

He's a 5'11'' 190 pound kid with not near as much talent as he has heart and leadership. He has smarts and just knows where to be. He's a coach on the field and an inspiration to all that know him, on and off the field.

When National Signing Day came and went his high school coach and fans were stunned that no big college came calling.

Taylor had helped anchor a defense that helped the school have the best two years in school history. He and Diaheem Watkins, who was signed by UAB, were elected team captains this past year. His coach, Mike Battles, said that Taylor was the best leader, best example and most positive player he had ever coached.

The players on that team said whenever they needed a boost, Taylor was there with just the right thing to say, when they were tired, they drew inspiration from him, he never went to the bench, never slowed down and never gave up.

That defense posted six shut outs and was one of the best all around defenses anywhere.

Taylor was not just an inspiration to his team because of his skill as an athlete, he's played many sports, but his everyday demeanor and being one of the most well liked students on campus, his love of friends, team mates and family and his public expressions of faith in Jesus Christ.

Taylor Morton has been able to inspire with all of those things and the all too familiar with the phrase, “Never, never give up.”  This is something Taylor learned from his younger brother Trent who passed away in a tragic accident while Taylor was in high school. Taylor wore Trent’s pee-wee jersey number and carried the words “never, never give up.”  Those words became a motto for the team for two consecutive seasons, the most winning in Bibb County High School's history.

He did have an offer from a few smaller division schools, offers that included a full scholarship, but he knew he'd never be content and would always wonder what could have been, so he turned them down to walk on at Alabama with nothing but the promise of a lot of hard work ahead of him to ever get the chance to play.

He told the local Centerville Press, “I am honored and feel very good about getting this opportunity. It isn’t a scholarship, but as an invited walk on I will be a part of the team.  Through hard work and faith, I can earn a scholarship and potentially some playing time.”

And how strong is that faith? Here's an excerpt from his own writing.

Is preaching essential?

Is preaching essential? Yes it is essential I have been studying Romans 10:14-15 and it says this How, then will they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone PREACHING to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" As you see they wont know unless we preach! They will not know about Jesus Christ unless we preach! But am I talking about in a pulpit? No, I'm talking about persuading.  In Websters dictionary the definition for preaching is to persuade. So preaching does not mean preaching in a pulpit but it means going out and sharing god's love with people you know who don't know Christ! Because they will not know unless we PREACH to them the Gospel! That is what we are called to do!  In verse 15 it says " How beautiful are the feet of those who share the good news!" So my question to you is how beautiful are your feet?
 
Taylor Morton  (end of blog)

Yes, he loves his fellow man and he believes the meek shall inherit the earth and he's willing to give it to ball carriers, one face mask full at a time as he plants them in it.

This is a young man with no desire to inherit the earth, he's shooting higher, and I have a feeling this is a young man to keep your eye on.

In an interview with Aaron Suttles of TideSports.com, Taylor said, "It really hasn't set in yet. It's crazy. I've always dreamed since I was a little kid going to games — we always had season tickets — I told my dad that's where I wanted to go play one day. When the opportunity presented itself, it's awesome. It's really hard to believe right now, but come May 31 when workouts start it'll be a reality real quick. It's really a true blessing."

I have a feeling that it will be his teammates and those who get to know him who may wind up being blessed for having such a role model to inspire them.