Western Illinois graduate student LeBron Morgan is comfortable everywhere on the field, whether it be outside linebacker, safety and even cornerback. He returned a fumble last week for a touchdown. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
In high school, LeBron Morgan admits he was a skinny – yet feisty – cornerback.
As a college player, there have been few spots he hasn’t played.
“I’ve played every position in the secondary,” the Western Illinois graduate student said.
This fall, he’s in another spot in the WIU defense. And of course, it has multiple responsibilities. Officially, he’s listed as an outside linebacker, but he calls it a “nickel linebacker/DB.”
“I’m in man-to-man coverage. I’m in zone coverage. I’m back up high (at safety) sometimes,” he said. “It allows me to do a little bit of everything.”
The ability to do multiple jobs stood out to Western coaches.
“LeBron is a very physical player who is also very football intelligent,” WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “When you get those two mixed together, you get a guy that has position versatility.”
Morgan and the Leathernecks (1-0) will host No. 4 Illinois State at 7 p.m. Saturday in Macomb. Because of the anticipation of high temperatures, WIU announced Friday afternoon that the game was moved back from its original 6 p.m. start time.
Last week in WIU’s season opener, Morgan scooped up a fumble and ran it in for a 38-yard touchdown, his first score since playing wide receiver on his high school junior varsity team as a sophomore.
“It means everything,” Morgan said. “I saw the ball and thought, ‘No way!’ We practice that every day, recovering fumbles.”
The touchdown was especially exciting for Morgan considering his 2025 season ended with a knee injury in Week 2 at Northwestern.
“It was challenging,” Morgan said. “I just kept my head down and got healthy. I attended all the meetings. I was around my teammates, so I got closer to them.”
During recovery, he also dove into learning WIU’s defense.
“Master that playbook is really what helped me,” he said.
Kickoff: 7 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Q981fm.com
Key matchup to watch
WIU offense vs. ISU LB Tye Niekamp: The Leathernecks last saw Niekamp two years ago in Normal, when he had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. Since then, the ISU senior has helped his team to a national title game, earned multiple All-American honors and is a Buck Buchanan Award candidate. “It feels like he’s been there for a long time,” Davis said. “He’s a handful. Something you see on the videotape is that he’s very much a spark within their defense. The defense rallies around him.”
What’s at stake?
The Leathernecks are seeking their first 2-0 start since 2017, a season in which WIU went 8-4 and made the FCS playoffs.
Quick hits
Western is 0-5 in its last five games against a Top 5 FCS team. The Leathernecks’ last victory was Nov. 21, 2015, when they beat South Dakota State, 30-24, at home. Playing a Top 5 Illinois State team has special significance for WIU running back Avery Knight. He played high school football in Arizona with Redbirds QB Beckham Pellant and WR Dylan Lord. “It’s an honor. We get to play a very competitive team that has a couple of my friends over there, so it’s going to be a good battle,” he said. “It gets us fired up,” added WIU offensive lineman Dorian Arguelles. “This game means a lot.” The series between the two schools, which dates back to 1904, is tied at 52-52-3. The Redbirds are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings. … WIU transfer Kennedy McGill’s five-touchdown debut at quarterback last week was impressive. He played extensively in the Week 0 win against NAIA Northwestern (Iowa) College, while returning starter Cason Carswell got the start. Davis said he would let the week’s practices determine the starter. “Both guys are going to play,” he said. “Who starts and what that rep rotation looks like is still to be determined.” … Illinois State also used multiple QBs last week, including last year’s backup, Beckham Pellant, and USC transfer Gage Roy in a 76-0 win against NAIA St. Francis. “Illinois State has had a history of great quarterbacks. We’re certainly expecting a very well-played game from that position, regardless of who is in there,” Davis said. … WIU defensive tackle Keshawn Harrington-McKinney was wearing a boot after last week’s game to protect an ankle injury, but he isn’t likely to miss Saturday’s game. “We expect Keshawn to play,” Davis said. “How many reps will be a game day decision. Keshawn’s a warrior. It would have to be a lot more significant to keep him out of this football game.”
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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