Soul re-sign star receiver Morgan

PHILADELPHIA  – The Philadelphia Soul have re-signed Second-Team All- Arena wide receiver, Donovan Morgan for the 2012 season.

Morgan became the fifth player – joining Nyere Aumaitre, Chris Frank, Drew Gardner and Kent Richardson – as players returning from 2011.

“The re-signing of Donovan Morgan is extremely significant heading into the free-agent signing period,” said Soul general manager Tom Goodhines.  “Talent attracts talent and Donovan’s return shows all of the free agents currently on the market that this organization is serious about making a run at the title.”

“Donovan is a huge part of our plans for this coming season,” added Soul head coach Doug Plank.  “We are excited to get one of the League’s elite receivers back into the fold and will be a big part of why we will bring a championship to Philadelphia.”

Morgan has proven his dominance as a wideout in a Soul uniform as he now ranks in the top-three of multiple franchise receiving records.  His 1,959 receiving yards this season surpassed the previous team record of 1,719 yards set by Chris Jackson in 2008.  Morgan’s 121 receptions and 37 receiving touchdowns ranks No. 2 all-time behind Jackson’s 140 receptions and 49 touchdowns also set in 2008.

Morgan finished the year ranking in the top-10 of multiple AFL statistical categories, including No. 1 with 16.2 yards per catch, No. 2 with 122.4 receiving yards per game, No. 4 in receiving yards, No. 6 in receiving touchdowns, and No. 10 with 14.2 scoring points per game.

“The experience I have had here in this great city with these great fans and organization made my decision to come back very easy,” said Morgan. “I look forward to building off of last season and can’t wait for 2012 to help bring the title back to Philadelphia.”

His best single-game performance came in his Soul debut, where he caught 14 receptions for 189 yards and five touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown, in a 58-52 overtime victory in Week 1 at Pittsburgh.  With that performance, Morgan is tied in Soul history for the most receptions in a game, most touchdowns in a game, and ranks No. 2 in receiving yards in a game.

During his time in Philadelphia, Morgan has also achieved multiple career milestones.  On May 15, he caught his 300th career reception and surpassed 4,000 career receiving yards against Georgia.  On May 27, Morgan caught his 100th career touchdown reception against New Orleans.

Throughout the season, Morgan’s down-field playmaking ability was apparent as he recorded 19 touchdowns of 20 or more yards, 10 touchdowns of 30 or more yards, and eight touchdowns of 40 or more yards.  Morgan was a reliable target all year, catching five or more receptions in 15 games, surpassing 100 receiving yards in 12 games, and catching multiple touchdowns in 11 games