IRVING, Texas — Stony Brook head football coach Chuck Priore has been in the profession for nearly four decades. And he cannot think of anyone he has coached during that tenure more deserving of The William V. Campbell Trophy than defensive back TJ Morrison.

Morrison on Thursday became the Stony Brook football team's 2020 nominee for the prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding football ability, strong leadership and citizenship, and solid academic achievement among college football players in their final year of eligibility

"TJ has demonstrated the ability to be the true student-athlete," Priore said. "He demands excellence in the classroom as well as on the field. He will not settle for average. He will outwork it. In the community, TJ has always demonstrated the ability to lead my example. During the 38 years I have been a football coach, there would be no one more deserving of this award."

Morrison is on track to graduate in December with a bachelor's degree in business management and a specialization in operations management. He plays to continue his education by pursuing an MBA.

A Yonkers native, Morrison has appeared on the Dean's List and CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll seven of his eight semesters on the Stony Brook campus. He owns the highest GPA of any member of the football team in his class.
 
Morrison's leadership activities include serving as a chair member of the Black Student-Athlete Huddle and being a peer advisor. He frequently has visited local elementary schools during his college days to read to youngsters. He also has visited Stony Brook Children's Hospital.

On the field, Morrison was a second-team Preseason All-CAA Football selection by Phil Steele heading into the 2020-21 academic year. He has recorded 97 total tackles, one sack and two interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown — during his career.

The award is sponsored by the Texas-based National Football Foundation. The trophy is named in recognition of William Campbell, a former head coach and captain at Columbia University.

A full list of past winners can be found here.