Week after week, the student-athletes of Morgan State University continue to excel, not only in competition but also in the classroom and beyond. The 'Beneath the Surface Spotlight' provides a glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary student-athletes, revealing the human stories behind their athletic achievements. These individuals are not only exceptional athletes but also outstanding scholars, leaders, and role models for generations to come. 
 

Bryan Stukes
Football
Class: Senior
Hometown: Chesapeake,Va.
Major: Construction Management

Bryan Stukes is a senior construction management major and defensive back for the Morgan State University football team. His journey began as a walk-on in his freshman year, where his talent and work ethic quickly earned him a scholarship by the spring semester.

Excelling both on and off the field, Stukes aims to play professionally while establishing a construction company in honor of his grandfather. By creating a business that prioritizes quality and community engagement, Stukes is committed to giving back to the very family and community that have supported him every step of the way.

"Throughout my journey I've come to realize that challenges are an inevitable part of growth and success. For the most part coming to Morgan was definitely a great thing for me academically and football-wise. It gave me a chance to change my life around. I remember sitting at home and I didn't know what to do, and the coaches here at Morgan State actually gave me a chance to change my life around, and that's what I did."

Coming from a proud HBCU family, the value of education and cultural identity resonates deeply within him. His mother graduated from Norfolk State University, and his two brothers followed in her footsteps venturing into the world of higher education at HBCUs. His younger brother, Brock, currently shines on the football field as an offensive lineman at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Stukes exemplifies the ideal student-athlete, demonstrating a profound commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. His achievements on the court have not gone unnoticed, as he has earned the prestigious Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week honors multiple times and regularly secures a spot on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, showcasing his dedication to maintaining high academic standards while excelling in athletics.

Stukes lives by these three words: "Patience, perspective, and perception."

Student Life

• What is the best time of year on campus? The first day was camp, and we all had to be here. When I got here, I came with a family friend and we were more confused. I had to go around Hill Field House four times before actually finding the meet-up place in the locker room.

• How would you describe your first impression of Coach Wilson when you met him?  When I met Coach Wilson, he was welcoming and warm. He definitely gave a lot of gems to us and had a lot of confidence in us. When he first got here, he said he was rocking with the guys we have now. He has 100 percent belief in us and is trying to do right by winning more and changing the culture.

  

• What motivated you to choose your major in construction management? My granddad, rest his soul, had his own construction business, and I spent time around him when I was younger. When I was a little boy, he would build things and do things around the house—fixing doors and hardware stuff. I also have a connection with him with ADHD; my parents and my family always said I acted just like my granddad. He really took me under his wing and took a liking to what he did. When I got here, construction was a really big thing for me, and I said I'd love to be in the construction program here.

• Can you explain what construction management entails? Construction management is more so the business side of it, although we do learn the Xs and Os. We learn more about how to delegate and understand the corporate part and how to move on the corporate side. It's really the best of both worlds.

• What are your plans after graduation? Trying to go to the league. For the most part, I am also excited about my construction business. I've really been planning that for a long time, putting in work towards that. Making calls to ensure I have a successful business, like my granddad, who built a lot, and I want to do the same thing. Just trying to lock into that.

• What do you consider to be the biggest challenges in playing football, both mentally and physically? Learning how to be a good loser, as well as a good winner. You have to learn nobody's perfect; you're going to experience wins and losses. There are going to be valleys and mountains in your life.

• What has it been like to witness the growth of Morgan State University during your time here? It's a bittersweet moment knowing we were here when the foundation was set.

• What is the most encouraging message anyone has ever shared with you? My mom and dad have definitely instilled in me that they will always be there for my brothers and me. They've consistently encouraged me to deepen my relationship with God and to give everything to Him.

  

Pop Culture

• What is your favorite social media? Instagram

• Favorite movie? I'm a movie fanatic. Guardians of the Galaxy the whole trilogy, rankings 3, 1, 2 no debate.

• Favorite TV show? Jujutsu Kaisen. I really like most anime though.

• Favorite celebrity and athlete? Allen Iverson

• Favorite music artist and game day song? Anita Baker and GOD IS by Melvin Crispell.

• Favorite childhood cartoon character? Huey from The Boondocks, for sure.

  

• What is the most interesting place you've visited? Church

• Where would you like to visit? Jerusalem, Israel, Egypt.

• Favorite home-cooked meal? BBQ Chicken and Mac and Cheese

• Favorite breakfast as a kid? French Toast

• If you could have dinner with three people, who would they be? All three of my deceased grandparents.

• If you are not at practice where would you be? Film room, library, home, at the cafe... definitely getting something to eat.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by STUKES (@cnb.stukes14)

Sports

• Can you describe your journey from being a walk-on to your current position on the team? How has your experience at Morgan State helped you develop your skills and showcase your talents? Safe to say I'm not a walk-on anymore. That's better; it's been a blessing to just further my knowledge here at Morgan State and showcase my talents. All around, it's been a great time.

• Reflecting on your time with the team, what stands out to you about the culture and standards you uphold? My best memory is the culture and really the standard we uphold... which was at Norfolk State. Last year we were down most of the game and started a little dry. During halftime, we reviewed our culture and standards, the things we uphold on this team. We came back out after halftime and showed who we can be and what we can do—not just in this conference, but all of FCS.

  

• Can you share the story of how you began playing football? My dad is a sports fanatic; he always said, 'You play sports in this house.' Not necessarily living his dream but sharing a dream of his and a loving dream of his. Being able to put 'Stukes' on the back of my jersey has always been the plan.

• What was it like growing up in the household of brothers, all playing the same team? Definitely competitive in the house; never let nobody get the upper hand. Still that way to this day. It definitely provided a good structure of not just competition, but how to be a teammate and learn how to be that person when people need you. Just being competitive, competing, and trying to get better—who else would be better to compete against than your brothers?

• What is your favorite memory from your athletic career? Winning the state championship my senior year—that team assembled one of the best teams in Virginia to ever play the game. We were all just a bunch of kids who grew up with each other, dedicated ourselves to one goal, and we did that. That's why I wanted to leave on a high note during my senior year.

• What is your favorite memory from your time at Morgan State? Second favorite would be Georgetown my freshman year. I woke up thinking I wasn't going to play this game as a walk-on, and it was the last game of the season. Coach O (Omarr Smith) said I was up for this game. The only thing on my mind was showing them that I'm worth what they say I am and what I could be, and I just gave it up to God. It could have made or broken me; it definitely gave me the confidence I could be a D1 athlete.

• As you prepare for this season, which teams are you most excited to compete against, and why? Every team—I just love to compete. I would tell tennis players I will better them.

• What are some of your pre-game rituals? I really talk to God, just try to thank Him and not worry about what's going to be or what hasn't been. I try to live in the now and thank God for the present and thank Him to end the game injury-free. Just try to meditate and talk to God before I go out there to play.
  

  

• Can you walk me through your typical routine before a game? My adrenaline starts pumping, 'Let's go,' but then I'm like, 'Wait, we've got time.' I start listening to music, turn on old music my dad got me to listen to, like Anita Baker and Charlie Wilson, just to get smiles going, and I'll calm down. Team lunch or team dinner, and we will go eat, and then it's go time.

• Who is the funniest coach you've had, and what makes their humor stand out to you? Each one of the coaches had their own humor; it's got to be Coach Faunteroy. His mannerisms and how energetic he is just always makes me smile.

• Who is the number one coach you would go to for advice? Coach O; he's more like an uncle and brother figure. He is always in my corner. He's the one who got me up here at Morgan and gave me a chance. He always tries to give gems to keep.

• If you had the opportunity to play in any NFL stadium, which one would you choose and why? To be honest, I just want to get there. It's not about a special NFL stadium; I just want to get there.

• If you hadn't pursued football, what other sports would you have been interested in? I'm a competitive person and wanted to play all sports. There was one sport in Virginia that clashed with football, and I could have played volleyball, which I liked a lot. PE volleyball was definitely fun.

• What other sports did you participate in while growing up? I played basketball, wrestling, baseball, and I tried track.

  

• If I were to ask your teammates about you, what do you think they would say? He is very confident—definitely confident in his ability to do things. I'm always competitive and compete with everyone here. I always make it seem like I'm the best person here, just trying to get more out of them and to have the same competitive, fiery spirit I have. They always seem to laugh around me.

Miscellaneous

• Did being a part of an HBCU family go into your decision to go to Morgan State University? My mom went to Norfolk State University, and I have so much love for my hometown, but I had to venture out on my own. I came to Morgan just knowing HBCUs have a lifestyle of Black excellence all around. No matter where you go, it makes it better knowing people who've been in your place.

• What would you do if you were to become a millionaire? I would buy land. When I start making most of my money, I'd start buying more land and run-down apartments to renovate and rebuild.

• Can you explain your vision for your foundation and giving back to youth with ADHD for that and why it's significant to you? I've talked to my mom about this; I've always wanted to open up a school. It wasn't hard learning, but I do learn differently. I want to make sure people like me with ADHD have the resources to learn the same way as others do.

• What is the culture like within your football team? How do the staff and players support each other both on and off the field? Even the staff on the football team have always been one big family and super supportive. It's always football second; we care about you as a person, not just as a player.

• What was your experience like when you received the call to come play football at Morgan State? Getting that call from Coach O was very revealing. Knowing both my brothers played college football, I knew my younger brother was going to play college football as well. It just felt good to know I was bringing something to the table and that I was going to get a chance to flourish.

• How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your experience as an athlete? What challenges did you face during that time? Most of the time, I get calls about having to give scholarships back to other athletes because of COVID. It was a humbling moment knowing I was going to live life without football. To stay in shape, my brothers and I hosted 7-on-7s in different fields in Virginia.

  

Beneath the Surface full list here

🎙️ Assata Allah-Shabaz, MSU Athletics Communications intern contributed to this release.
🎥 Jake Bandoh, MSU Athletics Lead Production intern


FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
 Facebook: /MorganStateBears
 Twitter: @MorganStBears
 Instagram: /MorganStateBears

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.