Brett Morgan, with pictures of his brother Rob, left, and Josh beside him, will also play at MSU. (The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[06/11/01] Brett Morgan has decided to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and join them at Mississippi State.

But the route the Warren Central quarterback is taking is different than theirs.

While Rob Morgan signed with MSU after guiding WC to the state championship in 1994 and Josh Morgan walked on in 1998, the youngest Morgan verbally committed to the Bulldogs Thursday night, nearly three months before taking the first snap of his senior season.

“I really didn’t expect a team to offer before the season,” Brett Morgan said late Friday afternoon. “I’m proud I got it out of the way before the season. Now I don’t have to think about anything except trying to win a state championship.”

It was an easy decision for Morgan, once MSU assistant coach Glen Davis offered a scholarship.

He will get a chance to play the position that he saw Sleepy Robinson, Greg Plump and then his brother Rob play as a backup at MSU.

“That was my dream … getting a chance to play for the team I grew up cheering for,” Brett Morgan said.

The strong-armed, 6-foot, 190-pounder completed 57 of 139 passes for 822 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions to guide the Vikings to a 9-3 finish his junior year. He also averaged 42.4 yards per punt.

Morgan solidified his standing with the Bulldogs with his performance last weekend at the ninth straight 7-on-7 team passing camp he has attended at MSU.

Morgan helped WC beat out about 30 teams for the camp championship, throwing 36 touchdown passes in finishing 10-2.

“I think they realized what we’ve known about him for a long time,” said Josh Morgan, who will be a junior free safety for the Bulldogs next season. “When he was in ninth grade, he was outthrowing me.

“Not to be biased, but he was the best thing up here” at the camp, Josh Morgan added. “He played defense in the big games and he impressed the coaches with his grittiness. He was diving after balls. He got several picks.”

Rob Morgan, who is now a graduate assistant with MSU, was known as a drop-back passer, and Josh Morgan was known more for his athleticism.

Brett Morgan is combination of the two.

“I see some of Rob, some of Josh, some of his mama and, thank God, not much of me,” said Robert Morgan, who has also coached all three of his sons at WC. “Brett is going to be his own man. If he works hard, he can be better than both of them.”

Brett Morgan doesn’t mind the comparisons to his brothers.

“I learned a lot from both of them,” he said. “We all just cheer each other on. We want each other to be the best.”

There is a little bit of a sibling rivalry, though. Brett Morgan wants to continue a streak Rob Morgan started in 1999, his last year as a player. In practice, Josh Morgan intercepted every MSU quarterback except his brother.

“I want to get a hold of Josh,” Brett Morgan said. “I know he won’t cut me any slack.”

He welcomes the challenge.

“He better watch that,” Josh Morgan said. “If he gets me, I know I’ll never hear the end of it.”

Joking aside, the brothers have plenty of respect for each other.

“Rob is as good as it gets when it comes to teaching and Josh is one of the best defensive backs in the SEC,” said Brett Morgan, who was also actively recruited by Ole Miss, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana-Lafayette and Murray State.

Starting quarterback Wayne Madkin will graduate after this season and sophomore Kevin Fant will be his backup.

Brett Morgan thinks he has a chance to start eventually.

“I don’t think they would offer early if they didn’t think I could play,” he said.

Robert Morgan just pauses at the thought of his sons in maroon together at his alma mater next year.

“It really means a lot,” he said. “I’m one proud papa.”