BALTIMORE, Md. (April 11, 2026) -- Morgan State football is officially hitting the homestretch of its spring practice period, with the highly anticipated Spring Game now on the horizon.
The Bears wrapped up their third week of intensive drills on Saturday, showcasing the tangible progress made since spring ball commenced.
Throughout these initial weeks, the team has been deeply immersed in refining their strategies, fostering fierce competition at various positions, and working on skill development. This focused approach has been evident in the steady improvement observed across both the offensive and defensive units, as coaches continue to evaluate talent and build chemistry ahead of the upcoming 2026 season. The culmination of this hard work will soon be on full display for fans and supporters to witness.
Week 3 storylines
Offensive Progress:
The Bears' backfield continues to impress three weeks into spring camp, creating what Coach Damon Wilson described as a "good problem" as the staff evaluates depth and playmaking options heading into the season.
Defensive Highlights:
Senior defensive back Dantonio Hackworth and linebacker Darius Jones both earned praise from Coach Wilson for the second consecutive week, continuing to stand out as key leaders and impact performers on the defensive side of the ball.
Newcomers Making an Impact:
Sophomore transfer Darius Jones, who joined the Bears from Wake Forest University, has quickly made a strong impression and has been a major addition to the linebacker room through the first three weeks of camp.
Position Battles to Watch:
The competition in the quarterback room remains one of the most closely watched battles of spring camp. According to Coach Wilson, reps among the quarterbacks ahead of next Thursday's Spring Game have not yet been finalized, as the staff continues to evaluate each player's command, execution, and consistency.
Energy & Culture:
Fundamentals and attention to detail were key points emphasized in my conversation with Coach Wilson. He highlighted the group's continued progress in learning the playbook and stressed the importance of clean execution while keeping self-inflicted mistakes to a minimum heading into next Thursday's spring scrimmage.
Standout Performers (Week 3)
Offense: RB Keith Jenkins Jr., TE Alex Simmons
Defense: DB Dantonio Hackworth, LB Darius Jones
Special Teams: N/A
NOTE THE QUOTE - HEAD COACH DAMON WILSON
On the team's progression this week:
"Everything is going well. We just finished practice, and things are moving in the right direction."
On team progress since the start of spring camp:
"The biggest thing has been making sure everyone is learning the playbook. We've made major strides from the first and second weeks to where we are now, heading into the final week of spring practice. You can see a drastic change in guys' understanding of what's being asked of them."
On special teams' progress through camp:
"Right now, we're focusing on technique and fundamentals. We're not putting full units together yet—just working individual skills so guys understand proper technique for covering kicks and executing in the kicking game."
On potential changes in the punt or kickoff return game:
"No, not at this point. Right now, everyone is getting an opportunity to be evaluated and show what they can do. We'll start game planning and building a true depth chart once we get into camp in August."
On what he's looking to accomplish for the upcoming spring game:
"Really, it's about execution. We want our guys to execute well, especially during situational periods. The focus is on minimizing self-inflicted penalties and performing effectively in those key moments. That's been our emphasis all spring—understanding situational football and improving in those areas."
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 website 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.
