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Kenyatte Morgan
Bozeman Kodiaks / Oregon
Thunderbolts
Wide Receiver
1998 - 1999
A former Montana State standout,
Morgan joined the Bozeman Kodiaks and immediately became an
impact weapon. Morgan, prior to joining the football
team, competed in the spring of '98 as an MSU track sprinter
in the 100 meter. Morgan's speed was on display
throughout his collegiate career as a receiver and returner
after being a three-sport star out of Inglewood, California.
A 91-yard 4th qtr kickoff return led MSU over Cal State
Northridge in 1996 and he would maintain that talent for the
next 10 years in the semi-pro and professional ranks.
Against the Salt Lake City Blue
Devils in 1998, Morgan was named Offensive Player of the
Game for a second week after tallying 2 catches for 87 yards
and three rushes for 79 yards including a long of 68.
The previous week in a 60-6 rout of the Billings Dragons,
Kenyatte scored three ways for a total of five TD's.
On the receiving end, he was 5 for 155 and 3 TD's, adding a
4th TD on the ground on a 19-yard scamper. His fifth
was a 65-yard kickoff return.
Morgan would be recruited by the
Oregon Thunderbolts on their American Football Association
run earning Northwest Football League 1st Team wide receiver
and 1st Team Punt Return honors for the undefeated 'Bolts.
The 17-0 Portlanders would take on the legendary Marlboro
Shamrocks in the MLFN Challenge Bowl falling for the first
time 35-13. Morgan set a kick return average record
with 44.2 yards per return on 8 run backs in 1998 for the
Thunderbolts including a long of 94, while catching 10
touchdown passes. All after having led the Kodiaks
earlier in the season.
Returning to Bozeman in 1999,
Kenyatte led the Kodiaks against the Dragons once again
scoring on a 20-yard reception and 60-yard punt return
score. His final stat line that day was 108 return
yards, 37 receiving and 14 yards rushing in the 27-6 season
opening win. The 5'6" 165lb speedster made his
presence known while completing his MSU degree in May 1999
having also ran unattached at the MSU invite in the 55-meter
sprint (6.55).
With Morgan away at Arena League
tryouts in Portland and San Jose, the Kodiaks survived on a
safety to upend the Idaho Falls Mustangs 2-0 on July 10th to
start the defending RMFL champions season at 0-1.
Morgan parlayed his success and the
ensuing tryouts with a signing to the Portland Forest
Dragons of the Arena Football League at the end of the 1999
season. Playing in the final two games, Kenyatte
debuted with 8 catches for 120 yards, and finished the
two-game set with 15 catches for 213 yards and 3 TD's.
That opportunity began a decade-long
career across the country in Arena, Canadian and NFL camps.
Morgan became the career return yardage leader in Arena
Football 2 with career totals of 5,480 kick return yards,
and 2nd all-time in all-purpose yards with 9.940 entering
the 2008 season. He was the Stockton Lightning career
record holder in scoring (228 points), kickoff return yards
(3,333) and receiving yards (1,768).
Kenyatte lived the semi-pro player
dream by taking the extra opportunity to play after college
and turn it into a well traveled professional career and
leaving his mark with the teams and leagues he touched.
Morgan's Professional Opportunities
1999 - Portland Forest Dragons
(AFL)
2000 - Oklahoma Wranglers (AFL)
injured
2001 - Buffalo Destroyers (AFL)
2002 - Grand Rapids Rampage
(AFL)
2003 - Green Bay Packers (NFL - signed
2/27/03)
2003 - Scottish Claymores (NFL
Europe)
2003 Calgary Stampede
2004 - San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
workout
2004 Central Valley Coyotes (AFL2)
2005 - Calgary Stampede (CFL)
released
2006 - Arizona Rattlers (AFL)
waived
2006-2008 - Bakersfield Blitz/Stockton Lightning
(AF2)
Awards
2007 AF2 American Conference 1st
Team Special Teamer
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