2015 BYU Hall of Fame

Rob Morris is one of the greatest BYU defensive players to put on a Cougar uniform. His speed, tenacity and impact on BYU’s defense earned him All-America honors as both a junior and a senior. Born and raised in Nampa, Idaho, Morris was recruited out of Nampa High School where he was a USA Today All-American.

He came to BYU in 1993 and played running back for several games before switching to linebacker. After serving a church mission to Toronto, Canada from 1994-96, he returned to BYU where he played linebacker during the 1997-99 seasons. Morris earned All-America honors in both 1998 and 1999. He was also a two-time Western Athletic Conference All-Conference selection and was named WAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1998. As a senior in 1999, Morris was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award.

Morris led the Cougars in tackles in 1997 and 1998 and posted 345 tackles during his career, the eighth-most in BYU history. In 1998 he totaled 147 tackles, the seventh-highest total by a Cougar in a single season. He also helped BYU to bowl games in three of his seasons and was a team captain in 1999.

During his career Morris was a fan-favorite at BYU. To promote him for the Butkus Award his senior season, the athletic department created Rob “Freight Train” Morris train whistles and handed them out at the home season opener. The nickname came from in interview where Morris jokingly commented that sacking a quarterback was like a freight train hitting a Yugo.

In 2000, Morris became the ninth Cougar to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, going 28th overall to the Indianapolis Colts. He spent his entire eight-year NFL career with Indianapolis, starting at middle linebacker for five seasons. He started every postseason game of the 2006 season, helping the Colts win Super Bowl XLI.

Over his eight-year NFL career, Morris had 482 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception. In 2002, Morris received the NFL’s Ed Block Courage Award. The annual award is given to select players that are voted on by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship and courage. He retired from the league in 2008.

Morris graduated from BYU with a degree in communications. He and his wife, Traceie, have two children, Carter and Paige.

Had some great hits on special teams at Colorado State ... Had one catch for 27 yards against the Rams ... Switched from fullback to linebacker during the October bye week ... Had four unassisted tackles against Ohio State in the Holiday Bowl.

Had a 19-yard carry as a running back in the spring game ... Named Cougar Club Scholar-Athlete ... Second team All-WAC ... Selected by the coaches as the outstanding linebacker of the year ... Leading BYU defensive scorer in 1997 ... Led team with 61 unassisted tackles and 110 total tackles ... Named coaches' linebacker of the game vs. Washington ... Led the team with three unassisted tackles, eight assisted tackles, and 1.5 tackles for a loss ... Recorded 10 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a pass deflection vs. Arizona State ... Totaled 16 tackles at SMU and chosen WAC Mountain Division Defensive Player of the Week and coaches' linebacker of the game ... Had 12 tackles at Rice ... Produced 19 tackles, two tackles for a loss, a hurry, and a sack at UTEP ... Named coaches' linebacker of the game following victory over Miners ... Career-best game of 44 defensive points at UTEP which ranks eighth-best in Cougar annals and matches his jersey number ... Had eight unassisted tackles, an assisted tackle and a hurry vs. Tulsa ... Had nine tackles and two tackles for a loss at New Mexico and was chosen coaches' player of the game.

Started all 14 games for the Cougars ... Led the team in tackles for the second straight season ... Produced a career-high 114 unassisted and 33 assisted tackles ... Recorded a team-high 16 tackles for a loss, netting 54 yards .. Caused and recovered one fumble ... Forced 11 hurries and registered a team-leading six sacks ... Recorded a career-best 336 defensive points ... Helped guide the BYU defense to a top ranking in the WAC in both rushing and total defense ... Named coaches' linebacker of the game vs. Alabama, Arizona State, Washington, Fresno State, San Jose State, San Diego State and Utah ... Recorded an interception for a 51-yard touchdown vs. New Mexico, which prompted the now-famous snow "grass" angel ... Also recorded 12 tackles against the Lobos ... Recorded 26 tackles in first two games of the season (vs. Alabama; vs. Washington) ... Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week after game vs. San Diego State and again following the Cougars' 46-21 win over New Mexico ... Named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year, Pacific Division ... Named Football News first team ... Selected as the ESPN Player of the Game (vs. Alabama and vs. San Diego State) ... Named ABC Genuine Chevrolet Player of the Game (vs. Wash.).

Team captain...named Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week after recording a game-high 15 tackles (14 solo) in the Cougars' 30-7 win over San Diego State...collected a season-high five tackles for a combined 30-yard loss in the game, including three sacks for minus-25 yards, and forced two key fumbles, recovering one...his forced fumble in the third quarter broke the game open, as defensive lineman Hans Olsen scooped up the ball and ran for a 24-yard touchdown...entered the season as one of the nation's leading candidates for the Butkus Award, but was forced to miss four games with a severe lower abdominal/groin strain...despite missing four games, Morris finished the season second on the team in tackles (77).

Redshirted (following LDS Church mission).