Josh Morgan

Joshua Lewis Morgan (born June 20, 1985) is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.

High school career
Morgan played quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback at H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, D.C. During his senior season, he accumulated eight catches for 275 yards and three touchdowns in a game against Glen Mills (Pa.) High School. He passed for 987 yards and rushed for 898 during his junior year, and finished with five passing and eight rushing touchdowns. He also played basketball and was named the most valuable player in two of the tournaments his team participated in.

College career
Morgan ranks second in Virginia Tech history with 122 receptions, fourth with 1,817 receiving yards (a 14.9 avg.) and fourth with 16 touchdowns. He finished his career with 2,435 all-purpose yards.

During his senior season in 2007, Morgan led the team with a career-high 46 catches for 552 yards (a 12.0 avg) and five touchdowns, while playing alongside Eddie Royal, now with the San Diego Chargers, and Justin Harper, now with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2006, he finished second on the team with 33 receptions for 448 yards (a 13.6 avg.) and four touchdowns.

As a sophomore in 2005, he finished with 28 catches for 571 yards (a 16.8 avg.) and four touchdowns. During his freshman season in 2004, he caught 15 passes for 346 yards (a 23.1 avg.) and three touchdowns. Morgan’s 126 yards receiving vs. Auburn in the 2005 Sugar Bowl set a school bowl game record.

2008 Season
In 2008, Morgan's preseason performances won him a place on the final 53-man roster. He became ill just before the season and lost 15 pounds. Morgan made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 7 against the New York Giants, he recorded an impressive 86 yards on five catches, as well as scored his first career touchdown. The week after, he would have his first career start. After suffering a one-inch tear in his groin in November, he missed the next four games. Playing in only 12 games, Morgan showed real promise as he finished his rookie season with 20 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdown receptions.

2009 Season
Morgan was made a starter by Week 1 of the 2009 season. In October, after the 49ers had finally signed their 2009 first round draft pick, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, it was assumed that Morgan may lose his starting job to the rookie. Instead Morgan retained his starting position and played opposite to Crabtree. By the end of his second season, he played in all 16 games, starting 15 of them, and recorded 52 receptions for 527 yards and three touchdowns.

2010 Season
In his third season, Morgan recorded another career high of 698 receiving yards on only 44 receptions. He also scored two touchdowns.

2011 Season
On October 11, 2011, Morgan was placed on the injured reserve list after a promising start to the 2011 season due to a broken bone in his right leg. He finished the season with 15 receptions, 220 yards, and one touchdown in just five games.

2012 Season
Morgan signed a five-year contract that's worth $12 million for the first two years, $7.5 million of which is guaranteed, and the last three years voidable by the Washington Redskins on March 13, 2012. By the start of the 2012 season, he was named the second starting wide receiver opposite of Pierre Garçon after competing with Leonard Hankerson for the starting flanker position. In Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams, he had a costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called on him during the Redskins' two-minute drive attempt in the fourth quarter to tie with or beat the Rams. After catching a pass on a third down and being tackled by Cortland Finnegan, Finnegan proceeded to shove Morgan while he was getting up and put his hand in Morgan's face. Morgan reacted by the throwing the ball at Finnegan and the Redskins were then given a 15-yard penalty. Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff then attempted a 62-yard field goal on fourth down, missing and leaving the final score 31-28. Morgan would later be fined $7,875 by the NFL for the penalty. On a play where Robert Griffin III rushed for 12 yards, the ball popped into the air as he was tackled, Morgan caught the ball and ran it 13 yards for a touchdown in the Week 13 win over the New York Giants. In the next game against the Baltimore Ravens, he would score his first receiving touchdown of the season.

Personal
Growing up in Washington D.C., Morgan grew up rooting for the Washington Redskins along with his family. Not until 2012 would he finally be able to play for the football team he grew up rooting for.