Semaj Morgan

Morgan was born on May 6, 2005, in West Bloomfield, Michigan, the son of Semaj and Erika Morgan.{{Cite web |last=Tondora |first=John |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Visions, verve and a vocation to serve: Semaj Morgan’s identity off the gridiron |url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/football/visions-verve-and-a-vocation-to-serve-semaj-morgans-identity-off-the-gridiron/#google_vignette |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=The Michigan Daily}} He played high school football at West Bloomfield High School, from 2019 to 2022, playing wide receiver, safety and kick returner.{{cite web|title=WR Semaj Morgan|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=December 22, 2022|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-semaj-morgan/135047651/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=West Bloomfield's Morgan backs up the bragging|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Mick McCabe|date=October 28, 2022|page=7C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-west-bloomfields-mor/135047254/|via=Newspapers.com}} His first head coach at West Bloomfield was Ronald Bellamy, who would also coach Morgan as the Michigan Wolverines wide receivers coach. Morgan also played for West Bloomfield's basketball and track and field teams.

As a sophomore in 2020, Morgan was All-Region and won a state championship at West Bloomfield with high school teammate, Donovan Edwards. As a junior in 2021, he caught 61 passes for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named a All-State selection by the Detroit Free Press. As a senior in 2022, he tallied 744 receiving yards, 192 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns. He was a U.S. Army Bowl All-American and named to the Detroit Free Press: Dream Team.{{cite web|title=Semaj Morgan|publisher=University of Michigan|accessdate=November 11, 2023|url=https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/semaj-morgan/24437}}

He was rated as a four-star prospect, and the No. 10 prospect in Michigan by Rivals.{{Cite web|url=https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/semaj-morgan-276965?view=pv|title=Semaj Morgan Recruiting Profile|website=Rivals}} He received scholarship offers from 20 Division I football programs, including Michigan, Ole Miss, Missouri, West Virginia, Purdue and Maryland.{{cite news|title='Like a movie'|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=July 28, 2022|page=B7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-semaj-morgan/135046999/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=‘Destiny’ guides 3-star WR Semaj Morgan to signing with Michigan Wolverines football|author=Jared Purcell|newspaper=Mlive.com|date=December 21, 2022|url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/12/destiny-guides-3-star-wr-semaj-morgan-to-signing-with-michigan-wolverines-football.html}}

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Morgan enrolled early at the University of Michigan in January 2023.{{cite news|title=Freshman receiver’s confidence translating into production for Michigan|newspaper=Mlive.com|author=Ryan Zuke|date=September 27, 2023|url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2023/09/freshman-receivers-confidence-translating-into-production-for-michigan.html}} In his freshman season, he appeared in all 15 games for the Wolverines as a return specialist and slot receiver, winning a national championship.{{Cite web |title=Michigan does it at last, powering through Washington for first national title since 1997 |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/michigan-does-it-at-last-powering-through-washington-for-first-national-title-since-1997 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}} Morgan recorded his first collegiate reception against UNLV on September 9, and scored his first collegiate touchdown, an 18-yard pass from J. J. McCarthy against Rutgers on September 23.{{cite news|title=Semaj Morgan showing flashes of the receiver he can become|author=Connor Earegood|newspaper=The Michigan Daily|date=September 27, 2023|url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/football/semaj-morgan-showing-flashes-of-the-receiver-he-can-become/}}{{cite news|title=Semaj Morgan Has What It Takes To Be Key Contributor, Fan Favorite|publisher=SI.com|work=Wolverine Digest|date=September 24, 2023|author=Brandon Brown|url=https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-football-semaj-morgan-jim-harbaugh-wolverines-rutgers}}

In the 2023 Big Ten Championship, Morgan returned a punt 87 yards before being tackled on the 2 yard line, leading to the first touchdown in the game, a rushing score by Blake Corum.{{Cite web |last=Zuniga |first=Alejandro |date=December 21, 2023 |title=Semaj Morgan reflects on ‘dream’ freshman year at Michigan and promises: ‘I will be doing more’ |url=https://247sports.com/college/michigan/article/semaj-morgan-reflects-on-dream-freshman-year-at-michigan-and-promises-i-will-be-doing-more-223660053/amp/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=247Sports}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-8ql2utwdftsf7iaf|title=Semaj Morgan's ELECTRIC 84-yard punt return sets up Blake Corum's TD as Michigan extends lead over Iowa|website=Fox Sports}} In the 2024 Rose Bowl, Morgan muffed a punt early in the contest, resulting in a costly turnover to Alabama. He remained stead, finishing the game with a team-high four receptions and had a rushing attempt, registering 44 total yards.{{Cite web |title=Michigan 27-20 Alabama (Jan 1, 2024) Box Score |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401551786 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Morgan finished the 2023 season with 22 receptions for 204 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 4 rushing attempts for 67 yards, and 2 rushing touchdowns. In addition, he had 287 yards in return yardage. He was an All-Big Ten honorable mention by both the coaches and media as a freshman. {{Cite web |title=Semaj Morgan - Football |url=https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/semaj-morgan/24437 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |website=University of Michigan Athletics |language=en}}

In 2024, Morgan stepped into a larger role as a leader and first-string wide receiver, following the departures of Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Lys |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Using lessons from Mike Sainristil, Semaj Morgan looking to lead by example in young receiver room |url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/football/using-lessons-from-mike-sainristil-semaj-morgan-looking-to-lead-by-example-in-young-receiver-room/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=The Michigan Daily}}{{Cite web |last=Foulk |first=Grace |date=May 10, 2024 |title=If you liked Roman Wilson, pay attention to Semaj Morgan next fall |url=https://www.maizenbrew.com/2024/5/10/24152593/michigan-wolverines-2024-college-football-semaj-morgan-roman-wilson |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Maize n Brew |language=en}} He changed his jersey from No. 82 to No. 0 before the start of fall camp.{{Cite web |last=Hole |first=Isaiah |date=June 16, 2024 |title=Michigan football WR Semaj Morgan changes jersey number |url=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/2024/06/16/michigan-football-wr-semaj-morgan-changes-jersey-number/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Wolverines Wire|publisher=USA Today}} In week two against Texas, Morgan had a 31-yard touchdown reception, totaling five catches for 45 yards.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401628347#home|title=Michigan v. Texas (2024)|website=ESPN}} In 2024, he played in 11 games and had 27 receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown, adding 32 rushing yards and 100 punt return yards.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan/2024.html|title=2024 Michigan Wolverines Stats|website=Sports Reference (College Football)}} Morgan was an All-Big Ten honorable mention for a consecutive season as a sophomore.{{cite web | title=Big Ten Announces Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Awards | website=Big Ten Conference | date=2025-01-28 | url=https://bigten.org/fb/article/bltb8532d0a2076d22c/ | access-date=2025-02-03}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/semaj-morgan/24437 Michigan Wolverines bio]
• [https://semajmorgan.org Semaj J. Morgan Foundation]

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Category:2005 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:Michigan Wolverines football players

Category:Sportspeople from West Bloomfield, Michigan

Category:Players of American football from Oakland County, Michigan