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REIGN CANE: Lake Creek’s Morcos commits to Tulsa ahead of senior year
While it may often take some time for an individual to be noticed in the high school football recruiting game, that hasn’t been the case for Lake Creek’s Eli Morcos.
Following years of training, preparation, and producing some admirable results, the incoming senior quarterback has racked up a bevy of noteworthy offers throughout his career – particularly from programs such as UTEP, Sam Houston State, Houston Christian, ULL, and Navy.
However, after his most recent official visit, Morcos ultimately made his decision to commit to Tulsa on Monday.
“It felt right,” he said. “I had been praying about it for a while, and I just felt like God spoke to my heart, telling me that Tulsa was the place I needed to be. Also, I really enjoyed the coaching staff – coach (Corey) Dennis and coach (Kevin) Wilson.
They’re very intelligent, offensive-minded guys who can produce NFL quarterbacks. Regarding the city itself, I enjoyed it a lot. The environment was great, the players were great, and I just felt like that was home.”
As he approaches the final campaign in his high school career, it’s given Morcos the opportunity to reminisce about where it all began.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“I’ve always grown up in the sport, dating back to when I was three or four,” said Morcos. “A big part of my journey, I think, was impacted by my brother who’s four years older than me. Growing up, I would go play tackle football with him and his friends, which helped me to be built tough and it’s stuck with me up to this point.”
It would appear that this particular upbringing has paid dividends for the Lions signal-caller, who is coming off a stellar performance in 2023, in which he accumulated over 1,500 yards through the air, with 18 passing touchdowns, and 11 more on the ground.
Collectively, Lake Creek (12-1) went undefeated through the regular season, which carried over into the playoffs, before being edged out by the eventual UIL-5A-II state champs Port Neches-Groves (30-27) in the Regional Quarterfinals.
Now that he has secured his future playing career, Morcos has a one-track mind for the upcoming Fall.
“It’s time to go get it done,” he said. “Last year I was still going through the whole recruitment process, which put a little bit more pressure on my shoulders. But, now the mindset is to just go win and have fun. It’s going to be the last time I’ll be on the same field with my friends, so I’m hoping to make it count.
Obviously, I want to stay consistent and be a leader for the guys around me since I’m going to be one of the oldest of the group. So, I intend to make this season enjoyable for myself and my teammates – to be an uplifting spirit so they can take on what seniors leave when all is said and done.”
Given that the vast majority of last year’s roster will be returning for head coach Pat Kennedy, which includes the soon-to-be Tulsa Hurricane, fans should expect more of the same success in 2024, if not greater.
THE BOOK OF ELI: Lake Creek's Morcos on the verge of recruiting revival
Eli Morcos of Lake Creek High School has a quiet confidence that a QB1 must possess.
After compiling over 2,000 yards of offense and 29 scores in his first year as the Lions’ starter, the junior has become a sleeper quarterback recruit that is starting to gain some serious traction.
The 6-foot-2 signal-caller led Lake Creek to a 12-1 record and three rounds deep in the playoffs, before falling to eventual State Champ Port Neches-Groves.
So, big season, big arm, no offers.
In early February, Appalachian State pulled the trigger on Morcos. All it takes is one, sometimes. Then came Navy, Sam Houston State, Louisiana Lafayette and Illinois State, who all would offer.
“That first offer was pretty cool and a great feeling,” he said. “I wasn’t really stressed or relieved to get the first one, because I knew I was capable of playing in college. But, I finally felt respected.”
He is now entrenched in 7-on-7 football these days and honing his craft with his quarterback coach and trainer.
“I’m working on the details,” he said. “Working on the mechanics and the little things with intention makes a big difference.”
So does experience. As a sophomore, Morcos played some QB but really starred at WR.
“Being the starting QB is a great feeling,” he said. “Having already played varsity at receiver really helped me have success last year. I just understood the speed of the game coming into my junior year. Last year, I was able to work on consistency and preparation. I understood the game so much more and could read defenses and what they were trying to do. I was just more confident, too.”
As the “Morcos momentum” continues to ramp up over the offseason, college recruiters are going to fall in love with this hyper-focused leader of the Lions.
Some already have.
And, what does he do with his free-time?
“Well, I’m on the way lead a Bible study at my church,” he said.
Thank me later.