Cal Sports Report

Kicker/Punter Derek Morris Commits to Cal for 2024

Bears are stocking up on kickers with this commitment from a Ohio specialist
Jake Curtis|
Kicker/Punter Derek Morris Commits to Cal for 2024
Kicker/Punter Derek Morris Commits to Cal for 2024

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California Golden Bears

Derek Morris, a kicker and punter from Bishop Fenwich High school in Franklin, Ohio, announced on social media on Tuesday that he has committed to Cal for the class of 2024.

It's unclear whether he will be a scholarship athlete or a preferred walk-on, but it appears he will be a scholarship athlete since his twitter announcement says he received an offer from Cal. Morris also had opportunities to go to Army and Navy.

The Bears had earlier acquired a solid place-kicker through the transfer portal, as North Carolina grad transfer Ryan Coe committed to Cal for next season.  Perhaps Cal is thinking long term as Morris will come to Cal as a freshman.

The Bears' still have kicker Michael Luckhurst on the roster.  He began the 2023 season as Cal's place-kicker, but was replaced by Mateen Bhaghani, who perfored well the rest of the season.  However, Bhaghani transferred to UCLA soon after the 2023 season was over.

Cal also returns punter Lachlan Wilson, who was the Bears' punter throughout the 2023 season and performed well.

Punter Bobby Engstler recently committed to Cal after de-committing from Florida

It appears Morris was recruited by Cal as a place-kicker.

Below are highlights of Morris' kicking, starting with 2023 game highlights:

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Jake Curtis
JAKE CURTIS

Jake Curtis worked in the San Francisco Chronicle sports department for 27 years, covering virtually every sport, including numerous Final Fours, several college football national championship games, an NBA Finals, world championship boxing matches and a World Cup. He was a Cal beat writer for many of those years, and won awards for his feature stories.

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