Morgan State Football Builds Momentum Ahead of 2026 Season

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BALTIMORE, Md. (August 8, 2026) — Two weeks into Morgan State's fall football camp, the energy surrounding the Bears continues to build. With the 2026 season fast approaching, competition has intensified across the roster as players battle for starting positions and key roles.

Head coach Damon Wilson offered his assessment following Saturday's scrimmage, expressing satisfaction with the team's progress through the opening week of camp. Wilson also addressed questions about the Bears' performance, areas of improvement, and his expectations as Morgan State prepares for the upcoming season.

Below is a transcript of Coach Wilson's takeaways from the Bears' first scrimmage, including the emergence of young playmakers, the depth in the running back room, defensive leadership and the team's overall progress through the second week of preseason camp.

On his takeaways from the first scrimmage:
"I thought we had some good stuff yesterday. We've got some young running backs, and we ran the ball well. We went three or four deep, and those guys were getting up and running and being pretty physical up front, O-line-wise. The D-line had some flashes as well.

"Once again, we got an opportunity for some of the younger guys to shine in the first scrimmage, and I think they took full advantage of it. We still have a long way to go, but all in all, I think we're playing much more physical. Like I said, once again, the younger guys are taking advantage of their reps."

On utilizing the depth and versatility in the running back room:
"That's the offensive coaching staff's responsibility—to make sure we put our playmakers in the best position to be successful and allow them to do what they do best, whether it's running back or receiver.

"We want those guys to be multiple. Those guys have the ability to catch out of the backfield, so we just want to get the best 11 guys we can get on the field and the best five skill guys and take advantage of things the defense may present to us."

On the team's confidence level heading into the season:
"I think the confidence level is very high, and the confidence comes from the preparation. These guys have been preparing all summer. They spent a lot of time together during the first summer session and second summer session.

"The transfers that have come in have really done a good job of buying into certain standards that we have here, while also bringing some new things to the table. But all in all, I think we're right where we need to be coming out of the second week of camp."

On the defense's early execution and emerging leaders:
"Oh yeah, Toro is definitely a leader. DJ, Darius Jones, has shown leadership capabilities, and a lot of guys up front. Jordan Jeudy and Kristopher Boyd, these guys have really bought into each other.

"I'm super-duper proud of watching these guys develop and grow over the last few years. Khris wasn't a vocal guy, but you hear Kris now talking more—not just to the D-line, but to the team. Their expectations of one another have changed, and that's just a joy to see, watching these guys grow and develop."

On finding a second playmaker alongside returning wide receiver Justin Perry:
"We have a number of guys. Malique (Leatherbury) is still in the fold. We've got JoJo (Joseph Kennerly Jr.) who's in the fold. We have a number of guys that can make plays.

"We added a couple of other guys. Joe (Joseph) Towler is another transfer kid that we brought in who has some ability. I think we have some guys that can make plays. Now they're just getting the timing and everything else together, so we'll be ready to roll at the end of the month."

On the play of returning specialists Alex Amaya and Shane Messenger:
"Great. The specialists are doing great. Those guys are really low maintenance. Those guys understand the expectations, and they have big-time ability. So it's just a matter of those guys just playing. They're taking advantage of the opportunities that they get."

On the overall health and condition of the team:
"We're good. You're going to be banged up. We're building the calluses right now to prepare us and get us through the season. It's part of this experience, and the guys are doing a good job of that right now."

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2026 Morgan State Football Schedule

Aug. 29	at N.C. A&T	6 p.m.
Sept. 5	at Arizona State	9 p.m.
Sept. 12	Virginia Univ. of Lynchburg	6 p.m.
Sept. 19	at Towson	6 p.m.
Oct. 3	at Villanova	1 p.m.
Oct. 10	Robert Morris (Homecoming)	12 p.m.
Oct. 17	at Tennessee State	6:30 p.m.
Oct. 24	Howard*	3 p.m.
Oct. 29	South Carolina State*	7 p.m.
Nov. 7	at Delaware State*	1 p.m.
Nov. 14	Norfolk State*	12 p.m.
Nov. 21	at North Carolina Central*	2 p.m.

*Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game

Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are now available. Click here to purchase.

For additional information on MEAC football, visit MEACSports.com.

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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.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Jordan Jeudy: DL; 6' 2"; Senior

#85 Shane Messenger: P; 6' 0"; Junior

#52 Kristopher Boyd: DL; 6' 5"; Junior

#4 Joseph Kennerly Jr.: WR; 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior

#15 Justin Perry: WR; 6' 0"; Freshman

#48 Alex Amaya: K/P; 5' 10"; Freshman

#1 Darius Jones: LB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#8 Jordan Jeudy
: 6' 2"; Senior
: DL

#85 Shane Messenger
: 6' 0"; Junior
: P

#52 Kristopher Boyd
: 6' 5"; Junior
: DL

#4 Joseph Kennerly Jr.
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior
: WR

#15 Justin Perry
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: WR

#48 Alex Amaya
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: K/P

#1 Darius Jones
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: LB