No. 1 Elijah Staley
Redshirt Junior, Football
Marietta, Ga.
Major: Philosophy
Despite the loss of Chris Andrews (No. 7 in the MEAC in total offense - 1,604 yds and No. 7 in passing - 1,366 yds, 11 TDs) to graduation, it appears that all eyes will be on the offseason addition of redshirt junior transfer Elijah Staley. The 6-7, 245-pound quarterback from Marietta, GA transferred from Tyler Junior College (Texas) and was previously at Mississippi State. Staley will have two years of eligibility remaining.
“I’m really excited about our quarterback position,” said MSU head coach Fred T. Farrier.
“The addition of Elijah gives us a player with both SEC and junior college playing experience. He’s been in college for three years and has really matured as a person, and physically to add him into the mix of what we do offensively gives us another added advantage. Now we have some guys that are really capable of playing at a high level for us at the quarterback position which really starts your entire offense.”
Staley and the Bears are preparing to kickoff the 2017 season opener versus Towson in the 'Battle For Greater Baltimore' on September 2. This year's homecoming game will be on October 14 against conference opponent Savannah State.
Student Life:
How has your summer been going so far, as far as the adjustment to Morgan state? It’s been going really good. You know football is football. I’ve just been focusing more on leadership. This is my first year in this position, so I’ve definitely just been working on leading and teaching others the offense, working hard, and working on my body and getting ready for the season.
What did you choose your major as? Philosophy and Pre Law
If you had to give any advice to an incoming student what would It be? Attack your grades from Day One.
Describe your first day at Morgan? My first day at Morgan State was kind of tragic. My car got towed the first day I arrived. I parked on the street and I wasn't really sure about the Baltimore streets, because down south you can park anywhere really -- but my car definitely got towed. It also took me awhile to get into housing. It was a rough day, but it came together well.
So far what do you like most about Morgan? I think I like the environment, just because its different from where I’m accustomed. I like my teammates and everything around. Fraternities are a lot bigger here and I like seeing different things like that.
Pop Culture:
What social media do you prefer the most? I love Instagram, but Twitter is definitely the funniest to me. I get on twitter at night and I also like to do Snapchat.
What is your twitter handle? Is there any reason for that? @es14_ It stands for Elijah Staley and during my freshman year and all through high school I wore the jersey number 14.
Would you rather read the book or watch the movie? Definitely watch the movie.
What song can you not help but sing a long to? “I’m So Groovy” by Future. That’s my song!
Favorite tv show? Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Favorite movie? My favorite movie would have to be “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” with Nick Cannon and Christina Milian.
Favorite book or magazine? I like Sports Illustrated.
Favorite celebrity? It would probably have to be Cam Newton. I’m a big Cam Nation fan.
Favorite musician or musical group? That’s hard. I love Jagged Edge as a group, but Lloyd is my favorite singer of all time. If anyone asked who the best of all time is I’d say Lloyd.
Favorite cartoon or children’s show as a child was? I loved “CatDog” when I was younger and I also like to watch “SmartGuy” a lot.
Travel:
Most interesting place you visit? This summer I actually went to Key West and went to Cozumel, Mexico. I went there and had a great time. I went on a cruise there and I've been to the Bahamas once. So I’ve been to a couple interesting places.
Place you want to visit? I want to go to Paris. I want to see the Eiffel Tower one day.
Food:
Favorite home cooked meal? Oh man I love how my mom makes ribeye steak and potatoes.
Favorite snack? Cool Ranch Doritos, easily!
Most underrated food you eat? Mushrooms. I put mushrooms on everything I eat.
I hated it when my mom made me eat? Chicken and noodles -- it was so terrible. I don't know what she did to it but it was so awful.
Favorite breakfast cereal as a kid? Cinnamon Toast Crunch -- the taste I can see [laughs]
Sports:
When is your favorite time of year? I love basketball season. I love football season too, but I love watching basketball NBA basketball.
What team do you most look forward to competing against this year? Rutgers. I want to play against Rutgers, that’s a big time game and I want to perform well in that game.
Do you have any pre-game rituals, superstitions? I always have to call my mom right before the game. I have to talk to my mom or either text my mom -- I just have to communicate with her in some way. Before games I also listen to a series of slow jams – there will not be too much fast music playing in my headphones. I listen to a lot of Lloyd and also watch Cam Newton’s highlights at Auburn before every game.
Favorite part about your sport? Honestly, I just like playing quarterback. Quarterbacks get a lot of love and I'm an entertainer, so I like the attention. It’s fun!
Favorite athletic memory? My favorite athletic memory was in high school when I scored 40 points in a basketball game. I had 18 rebounds and I had something like 6 assists in a game. That was pretty wild, and I almost broke our school’s scoring record.
Favorite pro sports team? Being from Atlanta I cheer for Atlanta sports, but they are a big letdown -- definitely a letdown.
Favorite athlete? Cam Newton
Whats your top skill as a quarterback? My throwing ability.
Any pro sport athlete that you know personally?
Actually my brother, Patrick Ewing Jr., played in the league for awhile. I spent the summer with my brother when he was playing summer league with the [Orlando] Magic, so I was with Dwight Howard, Vince Carter and Courtney Lee. I also know Dak [Prescott]. I played behind Dak at Mississippi State.
When did you start playing football? I started playing football at the age of 8. I started off by playing at right guard and hated football all the way up until my junior year of high school. I kept wanting to quit, but my stepdad wouldn't let me quit.
Miscellaneous:
When you are not at practice, what could someone find you doing? I’m definitely the best NBA2k player on the team. I’ve think I’ve only been beaten three times since I’ve been here.
Do you have a hidden talent? Not a lot people know this, but I like poetry. When I’m at home and listening to certain music, I go and write a poem. It can be like spoken word type of thing. I like writing poetry, I just don't let anybody see it.
If you could play another sport other than yours, what would it be? I played basketball and football at Mississippi State, so definitely basketball.
What do you look most forward too this upcoming season outside of the Rutgers game?
Changing the culture around here and just winning. You know just winning games – that’s what I like to do. That’s what they brought me here for. I just want to win games.
If you were a superhero who would you be? Superman
Do you have an interesting nickname? Everybody just call me Eli. They used to call me “SkinHead” back in the day because I had fat rolls on my head [laughs]. That’s why I grew my hair out, people don't know that [laughs].
If you could switch places with anyone on your team for a day, who would you choose? I would want to be him for a day the way he walks around is funny [laughs] Yes it would be DJ Trigg.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Just attack everything you do. Dak actually told me this when I was in junior college (Tyler JC), when I had a chance to spend Thanksgiving with him. He said attack everything you do -- from taking notes to getting treatment. Games may seem so serious but it’s everything that builds up to the game, even if you’re sitting in a hot tub attack your goal -- instead of sitting there for 10 minutes, sit there for 15 minutes. Instead of sitting in a cold tub for 6 minutes do 8 minutes. Just do everything great whether it’s picking up trash, pick up trash great. That’s just something he always told me.
Person you admire the most? The person I admire the most is definitely my mom. We went through a lot growing up and you know it’s been quite the story, but my mom is probably one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. I also have to say my stepdad, because he took me in when I was young and put me in all these positions to play sports. He's coached me all the way up until he couldn't coach me anymore.
If you could have dinner with 3 people dead or alive who would it be? Definitely Lloyd, Micheal Jordan and probably Will Smith – have to be around Will for once in my life.
Dream event? Honestly I want to attend the Heisman ceremony in New York City or attend the BET Awards.
What is your hometown known for outside of sports? My hometown is Marietta. What are we known for… well if we say Atlanta I’d just say The Varsity. Everybody knows what The Varsity is in Atlanta, but Marietta we are known for Marietta Squares. Everyone knows The Squares when you come to Georgia.
Pop or soda? Soda
Cat or dog? Neither
Early bird or night owl? I’m definitely a night owl
Funniest person on the team? Terrod Roberts Jr.
