Dec. 12, 2003
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State middle linebacker Kirk Morrison has been named a first-team All-American by College Football News, the organization announced Friday.
Morrison, the 2003, Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year and a two-time first-team all-league selection, becomes SDSU's first first-team All-America selection since center Mike Malano in 1999. He is the first Aztec defender recognized as a first-team All-American since defensive back Henry Williams in 1978. Morrison becomes the 19th first-team All-American in Aztec history, joining the likes of Willie Buchanon, Fred Dryer, Marshall Faulk, Haven Moses and Kyle Turley.
Morrison and UNLV safety Jamaal Brimmer are the only players selected to the College Football News All-America team from outside the Bowl Championship Series conferences.
"This is a true reflection of the year we had as a defensive football team," Morrison said of the award. "Football is a team game and this is an honor for all of us."
Morrison was the ringleader of an Aztec squad that ranked eighth nationally and first in the Mountain West in total defense and was the most improved unit in the country. He finished fourth in the Mountain West in total tackles (115) and led the league in tackles-for-loss with 17. He was second in the conference in forced fumbles and ninth in fumbles recovered.
Morrison, a product of Oakland's Bishop O'Dowd High School, will enter his senior season eighth all-time at SDSU with 281 tackles. He entered the season on the national watch lists for the Nagurski, Lombardi and Butkus awards.