When Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan traveled home for spring break, he didn’t anticipate his plans would drastically change. A quick trip turned into an indefinite stay at his family home in Kentucky. The COVID-19 pandemic suspended spring football activities across the country.
Luckily, Morgan happened to pack additional clothes and checked a bag for his trip. This decision turned out to be key, even if he had to buy a new iPad.
“It was kind of a whirlwind because we just thought we were coming back on Saturday from Spring Break and that stay was obviously extended, so it was kind of wild how all of it went down,” Morgan said Tuesday. “The only thing I forgot was my laptop, so I went out and I got an iPad to work on and found a way to do that. My dad helped me get that, so that is helping me out big time right now.”
Players would traditionally be participating in spring practices and installations right now. Instead, all activities have shifted online. Coaches and players are holding meetings on Zoom and FaceTime to keep everyone connected. Minnesota’s strength and conditioning staff even shared creative home workout videos for players to watch. If student-athletes can’t find safe fitness areas, the coaches are bringing virtual workouts to their homes.
“I think some people are stuck in the house or can’t get out and our strength staff has done a great job of sending us challenges and things we can do to stay active,” Morgan said. “We are finding ways to utilize and keep our strength right, even if it’s at-home workouts. Guys are finding ways to get it done and I’m very blessed and fortunate to have a supportive family to help me find ways to continue to get better.”
Morgan is practicing social distancing while working out a private home gym. He even adventured to a local parking lot and went through an intense workout on blacktop. Not only that, but Morgan is using this time to continue growing mentally. He is drawing plays on a whiteboard in his room and holding meetings with teammates. During this indefinite break, the redshirt junior quarterback wants to improve his mental processing skills.
“The first part for me is just continuing to strive for mastery of our offense and mastery of defensive recognition and things like that. Coach Sanford has done a great job of giving us the tools and then the next step would probably be to get into potential game plan breakdowns for our opponents this upcoming fall,” Morgan said. “The coaches are way ahead of schedule breaking down our 2020 opponents at the beginning of the season, so that’s just phenomenal.”
Morgan has been finding online resources to study quarterback play and dialed into film of Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and New Orleans Saints star Drew Brees. While studying Love, he is learning concepts from new co-offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr.’s past offensive system. Morgan is utilizing the additional time to learn, grow and study film.
“The way [Drew Brees] operates is just outstanding. The way that he attacks every single day and his preparation is second to none,” Morgan said. “It’s been cool to see a lot of quarterbacks come together online and share things. Quarterback coaches on Twitter sharing things and stuff about different ways that they do different things. I think the football world is killing some time by being able to learn different things and grow.”
While working from home, the Gophers’ quarterback established his own routine. The coaching staff provided a rough plan for players to follow, which includes necessary academic resources to aid virtual learning.
“Preparation is huge, even through this time,” Morgan said. “You have to stay busy and you can’t allow yourself to get bored. I think it’s a great opportunity to grow. Instead of binge watching Netflix all day, or what not, there are opportunities to grow, whether it be reading a book or growing spiritually.”
Outside of improving his football skills, Morgan is adjusting to online classes. The University of Minnesota launched virtual learning and the Gophers’ quarterback is impressed with the results. He credits university leadership for easing the transition.
“It’s a tribute to President Gabel and the whole University of Minnesota for how they handled it and how they set a plan. That goes on up to the instructors and professors for finding ways to help the students learn,” Morgan said. “I think a lot of people have found it very beneficial and maybe even learned more ways to grow academically, but it’s obviously a difference being in Zoom meeting and Zoom classes and things like that. The way that teachers and professors have made themselves available to us is just outstanding.”
Despite spending a large majority of his time on football and virtual learning, Morgan has also found ways to connect with old hobbies, friends and family.
“I have a pond in my backyard, so I’ve been fishing a little bit here or there. That’s been nice. I haven’t really been fishing for awhile, so I’m doing that. I’m just finding ways to connect with different people which has been awesome for me,” Morgan said. “I’m also playing a little Madden here and there when I have some free time. I’ve been playing Madden seasons with my brother, so it’s been fun to kind of play the GM in a sense and pick players.”
Despite currently living more than 700 miles from Minneapolis, Morgan is staying connected with the state of Minnesota. He has watched citizens and state leaders rally together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Tim Walz recently referenced the Gophers’ “Row the Boat” culture during a COVID-19 media briefing.
“We’re in uncharted waters, but we’re rowing the boat together,” Walz said last week.
Morgan saw the video and likes watching the team’s culture help others during this difficult time. The Gophers’ quarterback knows Minnesotans will fight through the pandemic by rowing together.
“I like how [Governor Walz] is using Row the Boat for the state of Minnesota [to explain] how we have to stay home and row together. It’s phenomenal. It’s great to see the state of Minnesota come together. Even though I’m not currently there, everybody is heading in the right direction and it’s just phenomenal to see.”