NC State quarterback MJ Morris entering transfer portal
Posted November 30, 2023 11:47 a.m. EST
Raleigh, N.C. — NC State quarterback MJ Morris is entering the transfer portal.
Morris' decision was an expected development and has been an emerging storyline in an otherwise strong finish to the season for the Wolfpack (9-3).
On Nov. 7, Morris' father, Eddie Morris, told WRAL his son was preserving a year of eligibility and opting to redshirt the remainder of the 2023 season. Morris has three years of eligibility remaining.
"After many conversations and prayer, I've come to the heartfelt decision to enter my name into the transfer portal with three years of eligibility," read a statement on Morris' Instagram page.
Morris was named the starting quarterback on Oct. 2 before the Wolfpack's game against Marshall. Morris helped State to wins over Clemson and Miami, since replacing Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong. Morris threw seven touchdowns and five interceptions this season after taking over for Armstrong.
The plan entering the season had been for Morris to redshirt while Armstrong played quarterback. But the Wolfpack's offensive struggles early in the season led head coach Dave Doeren to make a change.
Following the redshirt announcement, Armstrong started and played the final three games for the Wolfpack, who won five straight games to end the regular season. In the last three games, Armstrong has thrown for six touchdowns, run for three touchdowns and thrown no interceptions, fulfilling a lot of the expectation surrounding his transfer from Virginia in the offseason.
Morris is the second Triangle ACC quarterback to enter the portal with his announcement coming a day after Duke quarterback Riley Leonard's.
In 2022, Morris played in five games and threw seven touchdowns with one interception. This year, he was 3-1 as a starter.
"No one said he is leaving the program," Eddie Morris told WRAL weeks earlier. "Nobody said he is leaving the program. If he would have left the program, he would have left in January and he would have left in May. He had plenty of options."
