College spotlight: Tyler Morton

Photo courtesy Nicholls Athletics

Tyler Morton was an electrifying playmaker during his time at Destrehan, cementing himself in school history as one of its most productive and decorated defensive backs.

Nicholls now reaps the benefits that come with Morton.

As a sophomore, he emerged as a starting safety for head coach Tim Rebowe’s Colonels, racking up 71 tackles, 38 of those solo, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a team-leading two interceptions.

Morton’s best game statistically came at Lamar, where he posted a career-high 10 tackles. He had five different games with seven tackles or more last season and will look to build on his year as a junior in 2023.

He’s turned heads with his play: Morton has been named to the preseason All-Southland Conference first team for the 2023 season.

The 5’10, 165 pound defender comes from a strong family of athletes and he himself is a second-generation Colonels player. His father Allen played wide receiver for Nicholls, while older brother Macon Clark has been a standout starting safety with Tulane. His uncle, Allen Pittman, starred at Nicholls and was a four-time All-Conference player at linebacker.

Morton’s time at Destrehan was memorable – despite playing defense, he was one of the most dangerous players on the field with the ball in his hands, one reason he doubled as a star return man for the Wildcats.
He finished his senior year at Destrehan as All-State honorable mention, totaling 74 tackles, five interceptions and three punt returns for touchdowns. That helped guide DHS to the Class 5A championship game in 2019.

Morton’s defining play likely came on a rain-soaked field at Ruston during that postseason run. His scoop and score fumble return tallied the game’s only points as Destrehan emerged a quarterfinal winner, 6-0.

 

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