Gilmer receiver LaMarcus Morton picked up an offer from Stephen F. Austin on Sunday. (Ruel Felipe, ETSN.fm)
Gilmer receiver LaMarcus Morton picked up an offer from Stephen F. Austin on Sunday. (Ruel Felipe, ETSN.fm)
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Competition is getting steep for schools interested in LaMarcus Morton, but Stephen F. Austin demonstrated it isn't afraid of larger schools offering or closely eyeing the junior Gilmer receiver.

The Lumberjacks program invited Morton to join its team upon graduation next May, becoming the 14th Division I school to do so. Morton announced the news Sunday afternoon through his personal Twitter account.

Morton (6-2, 175) was slated to attend the ETSN.fm + APEC Football Recruiting Combine on Sunday, but he sustained a minor injury Saturday during a 7-on-7 state qualifying tournament with Gilmer and had to withdraw.

Morton was part of a Gilmer offensive machine last season in an undefeated run to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals. He helped maintain a winning streak of 31 games, dating back to Week 1 of the 2014 season, before the campaign ended with a loss to state runner-up Celina.

Gilmer produced 6,357 yards of offense through its 15-game season, and the production was nearly dead even between the passing and running facets.

Ten receivers caught for at least 100 yards last season and 17 players touched the ball toward 3,199 team receiving yards. But Morton led the way with 589 yards and seven touchdowns on 34 receptions.

Morton had 118 more yards than the next closest receiver.

Stephen F. Austin endured a fairly disappointing season after reaching the FCS playoffs in 2014. The year ended with a 4-7 record, but the team did seem to turn a corner in the back half of the season by winning four of its final six contests for a 4-5 Southland Conference mark.

One of the Lumberjacks' losses came to TCU, which was the No. 3 FBS team in the country at the time. Three other defeats came by one possession.

Head coach Clint Conque will be back for a third season this fall.

A major selling point Stephen F. Austin can pitch Morton on is its proximity to home. Gilmer and the campus in Nacogodches are separated by 84 miles.

The next closest school to Gilmer currently interested in Morton is Louisiana Tech, 146 miles from home.

Stephen F. Austin also has been a major haven for college bound East Texas high school players since starting its program in 1923. Brownsboro athlete Tamrick Pace, Nacogdoches receiver Alex Gregory and Pittsburg linebacker Fre'Zarian Harrison will all begin college careers with the Lumberjacks next month.

Morton, like all high school football prospects currently in their junior year, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in February.

 

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