BALTIMORE, Md. (August 15, 2024) — As the Morgan State Bears prepare for the 2024 season, sophomore quarterback Tahj Smith has emerged as the frontrunner to lead the team's offense.
Smith, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound signal-caller from Fredericksburg, Virginia, has impressed coaches and teammates alike with his combination of athleticism, arm strength, and decision-making.
Smith's emergence as the favorite to start comes after a freshman season in which he appeared in five games and started in the last four games of the season. He completed 29-of-71 passes (40.8 pct) for 426 yards and three touchdowns. He was also also the team's third leading rusher, accumulating 159 yards on 4.1 average carries and scoring two touchdowns.
While Smith, a Preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection, appears to have the inside track on the starting job, he will continue to face competition from several other quarterbacks on the roster, including former starters Dominique Anthony and Duce Taylor.
If Smith can maintain his level of play throughout the season, he could be a key factor in Morgan State's success in 2024. The Bears are looking to improve on their 4-6 record from last season and make a run at the MEAC championship.
With Smith at the helm, the Bears have a promising young quarterback who has the potential to lead them to greater heights.
Below is a transcript of head coach Damon Wilson and Tahj Smith's comments following practice.
Coach Wilson
How has the quarterback competition been so far?
It's been pretty good. Tahj is the starting quarterback with us going into week one, but Dominique [Anthony], Kobe [Muasau] and Duce [Taylor] have continued to push. They have had good days, but you know, we have to have a starting point. Our starting point will be with Tahj, and hopefully everyone else continues to get better, and he gets better as well.
How has the chemistry between your quarterbacks and receivers been? How have your new guys adjusted to the playbook?
It's getting better. We're not there yet. Good thing about it. We still have a few weeks before game time, but it's getting better. We have some new receivers out here and getting timing together and that sort of thing. Some things that guys worked on all summer, but we have some new pieces in the camp that are trying to get on the same page as well.
As we approach the end of Week 2, what has your team done well in and where have you seen the most improvements?
We've continued to get better and do the little things right. However, we still have to be more consistent. We have not had three good practices in a row. We've had two good practices, but we have to continue to work and get better in that area to be consistent.
Tahj Smith
What aspect of your game have you been focusing on so far during camp?
I'm staying focused on standing poised in the pocket, not trying to rush out of the pocket. I'm trusting what I see and I'm trusting in the looks they [the defense] give.
What's the talent of the QB room and how competitive has it been so far?
The quarterbacks have been really competitive. Everybody has been showing up and making plays. So it's been great overall.
Tell me about the trust you have in your receivers, who has been your favorite target and who will surprise fans this fall?
Our receivers have been playing great, honestly. We have guys everywhere, inside and outside. i don't really have a favorite target. I think everybody can go. We have a deep rotation this year, and it's going to be special to watch.
Talk about your confidence in the new offense under your new offensive coordinator Apollo Wright. How has it been working with him?
Working with Coach Wright has been really good. He understands the players. He's putting us in the right position to make plays, and he's working the personnel to a point where we can execute at a higher level.
On his relationship with Coach Wilson?
My relationship with Coach Wilson is pretty good. Coach is a great dude. He's somebody that everybody wants to play for. He's a championship-type of guy. He's had multiple championships. so he's somebody you can definitely respect.
How fun is it competing in practice against one of the top defenses in the conference?
It's really fun. They get you prepared for anything. i think this is the best defense I played in college. Going against them every day has helped me a lot.
Aleshia Robinson contributed to his release.
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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.
