In one of the biggest no-brainers in the history of NCAA eligibility decisions, Tony Morales will get one final shot at playing college football.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed Friday that Morales has been granted a sixth season of eligibility and will play for the Red Raiders in 2016. And, if there were a picture next to the word “perseverance” in the dictionary, it’d be that of Morales.
The Tech offensive lineman missed the 2011 season due to an injury sustained in summer camp. The same thing around the same time happened again in 2012. And again in 2013. And, unbelievably, again in 2014.
Morales’ myriad health issues consisted of a torn labrum in his right shoulder (2011); a strained knee ligament (2012); a torn labrum in his left shoulder (2013); and another knee issue in 2014.
Finally healthy in 2015, Morales started six games at right guard last season. This season, he will be in a competition for the starting center job.