DALLAS -- University of Arkansas junior quarterback target Chandler Morris, the son of Razorbacks Coach Chad Morris, is focused on helping his team to a third consecutive state title, not recruiting.
"I really haven't gotten too far into it," Morris said. "I'm kind of mainly focusing on this season and then I'll get more in-depth after this season."
Morris, 6-1, 180 pounds, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Dallas Highland Park has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Clemson, Auburn and Colorado. Quarterbacks usually commit early and recruit others to his particular school and Morris looks to be the same.
"I would like to have a decision probably by spring and go on junior days and do my official visits and I'll probably commit spring or early summer," Morris said.
He said he and his father don't talk much about recruiting.
"We briefly talk about it," Morris said. "He doesn't change the way he treats me at all. He just treats me like his son like he always has. He knows I trust him and he trusts me and he's going to let me do my visits and at the end of the day it will be my decision and he respects that."
Morris leads the Class 5A in the Dallas area with 1,065 yards passing while completing 72 of 109 passes and throwing only 1 interception in 4 games this season. He has rushed 27 times for 146 yards and 7 touchdowns.
"He's a gamer and he will play his best when he's in a game and he competes hard," Highland Park Coach Randy Allen said. "He loves football, he studies it. Of course, he's grown up in a great coaching family and he's been around it all of his life."
Allen has led the Scots to three state titles, including the past two seasons with current Arkansas freshman quarterback John Stephen Jones leading the way. He said Morris is a dual-threat quarterback with the ability to change the game with his legs.
"In today's offense, that sometimes is the difference between football teams is can your quarterback turn a bad play into a good play?" Allen said. "He has great speed."
Razorback fans in the Metroplex for Saturday's game against Texas A&M wanting to see Morris, can see him tonight as Highland Park hosts Dallas Wilson at 7:30 p.m..
As a kid growing up, Morris thought about playing for his father in high school.
"I did, I didn't think it would be like college, but I always thought I would grow up and play for him in high school," Morris said. "That was always a thought in my mind."
The same thought process has also crossed his mind about playing for his father in college.
"It does, it's a little different, but then again like I'm just going to take my visits and he's going to help me out," Morris said.
Morris visited Oklahoma last weekend and has hopes to make trips to Auburn and Colorado. Getting on the field early will factor into his college decision.
"I don't want to be that quarterback who goes and picks the biggest logo and ends up sitting for three years and you don't hear about him for three years and they show up and only gets to play two years," Morris said. "I want to make an impact as soon as I can when I'm ready."
Should he become a Razorback, Morris knows his father's third season could be a good situation for him because of the Hogs' strong receiving class that includes highly regarded Shamar Nash and TQ Jackson.
ESPN 300 receiver Trey Knox is expected to announce his decision Monday between Arkansas and Tennessee.
"Especially looking at this recruiting class they have right now," Morris said.
Morris said he and his father enjoy hunting and fishing but left no doubt who is the better marksman.
"I would say I am," Morris said laughing. "He's kind of broke behind the scope. He doesn't have a very good shot like me."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 09/28/2018