By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – After playing the role of shut-down secondary surgeon for the Stars, one of these days Bedford North Lawrence senior Luke Morris could be the plastic surgeon for the stars. His possible route toward Hollywood will require a first stop in Chicago.
Morris, a key member of BNL’s defense, signed to play college football with Roosevelt University, a Div. II program in the Windy City that started in 2020. He will join a 35-player signing class for coach Billy McKeon with the Lakers.
Roosevelt might need a facelift after going 2-8 last season. Morris knows a little about that, as a key part of BNL’s turnaround to an 8-4 season in 2025. That’s the memory he will take away from his time with the Stars.
“Definitely this team, and Coach (Brayden) Tidd, how it turned around that quick,” Morris said. “It was a lot of fun. I love football, the bonds, the family. Every day, it’s a grind. I love the chase.”
Morris, named Honorable Mention in the Hoosier Hills Conference, was a key piece of the BNL defense.
“You talk about a weapon on the football field,” Tidd said. “I don’t think anyone realizes how incredibly valuable it is, when you can trust a kid with all your whole heart to shut down one entire side of the field every single week.
“He works tirelessly at his craft and he wants to be the best player he can possibly be. You add in that kind of size with his technique, and you’re going to have a hard time finding a better corner than Luke.”
Roosevelt’s staff did not have a hard time finding Morris, thanks to a social media connection, even if the school was an unknown outside of the city. “Their coaches were like family,” Morris said. “We had a great connection.”
Morris also joins a growing list of BNL athletes who will compete at the next level.
“It’s absolutely huge for the program,” Tidd said. “Seeing all these guys go play at the next level just shows these younger guys what happens when you work hard. They have laid the foundation for what it means to work hard and work for the things you want in life.
”These guys are getting these opportunities to go play at the next level, not because it was handed to them, but because they all worked their tails off. I think there is a lesson in that, and lot of value for our program, from these guys getting these great opportunities to extend their playing careers.”
