It took a couple of decades, but Joker Phillips and Co. finally ended “the streak” against Tennessee this past year. For years, the neighboring rivalry has grew, and it looks like recruiting in both states could bring on a new rivalry.
Very rarely do your hear of a recruit being very high on both Tennessee and Kentucky, but for [B]Marquis Morton[/B], he has ties to both.
Morton, a junior running back from Central High School, is very familiar with Knoxville. He is cousins with former Vol Montori Hughes, as well as second-cousins with current Vol Eric Gordon.
“I like what Tennessee has to offer. They have great tradition and they are really making progress with the program,” he began. “But I grew up a Kentucky fan. I consider both schools as my top two.”
Morton has admired Kentucky for quite some time.
“I have always wanted to be a part of Kentucky’s program. I really like Coach [Joker] Phillips.”
The 5-foot-11 speed back has communicated with Phillips very regularly for the past few months, primarily by email.
“He has been sending me a lot of letters and emails. Coach Phillips has said he was impressed by my performance on the field and off. He wants me to come to a camp in the summer to see me in person.”
When asked if he would attend Kentucky’s camp, Morton said he “most definitely” would, in hopes of earning a scholarship offer.
Morton has received interest from several other colleges in addition to Tennessee and Kentucky, including Duke, Memphis, Western Kentucky, Syracuse, and Vanderbilt; Oregon and Nebraska are also showing minor interest.
“Tennessee, Kentucky, and Duke are recruiting me the hardest, in that order,” Morton said.
It is obvious Kentucky and Tennessee are the fore-front leaders for the Shelbyville, Tennessee native, but could others come into play? With Morton’s timetable to make a decision, it is a possibility.
“I promised myself I would wait and make a late decision. I want to get all the offers I can, then see what fits me best. I’d say I will make a decision in the middle of my senior year.”
Follow Garrett Tucker on Twitter [URL=”https://twitter.com/#%21/GTuckersports”]@GTuckersports[/URL] for more info on Kentucky recruiting.
