From Inside the Red Raiders
Behren Morton, Texas Tech’s 2021 four-star quarterback commit, wrapped up his senior season at Eastland (Texas) High School this past week. Morton helped Eastland to a 10-4 record on the year, culminating in a Texas Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal appearance. Eastland fell Thursday 61-28 to Gunter High School at Globe Life Park in Arlington to conclude Morton’s high school football career.
The industry-generated 247Sports Composite rates Morton as a four-star recruit ranked No. 157 overall in the country’s 2021 class. He is ranked No. 12 nationally among 2021 pro-style quarterbacks, as well as No. 28 overall in the state of Texas for his class. The Top247 rankings put Morton higher across the board: No. 107 overall, No. 6 among senior pro-style QB’s, and No. 17 overall in the Lone Star State’s 2021 cycle.
Without further adieu, the following is the updated 247Sports scouting report on Morton. Our previous player comparison for Morton was Shane Buechele, the high-production quarterback at SMU. There are similarities there, but we’re still working on a new player comparison.
“Owns the requisite height with lean, athletic build. Adequate frame with space to continue adding bulk. Throws with consistent accuracy. Thrives in the short-to-intermediate passing game with plus velocity when driving the ball up the seams and over the middle of the field. Light on his feet in the pocket and sets quickly. Comfortable taking what the defense gives but also has proven big-play ability as a passer and now and then as a runner.
“Good functional athlete for the QB position who has shown encouraging top-end straight-line speed on scrambles and designed runs. Athleticism lacks verified context, but plenty good to regularly buy time with his legs. Throws well on the run and is dangerous in off-schedule situations. Velocity and downfield arm strength looked better as a senior. Capable of varying arm angles as needed.
“Loose, live arm accompanies wind-up release that needs to tighten and quicken to maximize passing ceiling. Occasionally vulnerable to batted balls at the line of scrimmage because of wind-up motion. Has dominated small-school ball but faces major jump in competition. Legitimate Power 5-caliber quarterback prospect who’s a natural gunslinger type with a potentially high ceiling. Could become multi-year high-major starter in college with long-term NFL Draft potential.”
Morton played 13 games this fall. He threw for almost 3,900 yards, 39 touchdowns, and six interceptions as he completed 67.7 percent of his pass attempts. Morton also enjoyed an impressive season running the ball as he amassed almost 900 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on more than seven yards per carry.
In his final three seasons of high school ball, Morton threw for almost 8,800 yards, 84 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He threw with accuracy as he completed better than 64 percent of his attempts. He ran for about 1,200 yards and 24 more TD’s on more than five yards per rush.
