The year was 1998 and there was Michael Bishop, shredding Big 12 defenses just like he had at Blinn, Texas. Yet all Morgan could do was watch, wearing a different shade than the purple issued to most players at Kansas State.

"When you bring in a junior college player, you generally don't like to redshirt them," conceded K-State offensive coordinator Ron Hudson. "Ideally, they can take over for a position that leaves. Well, what occurred was Quincy wasn't quite ready for this kind of system."

It hurt not to re-connect with Bishop, a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, but Morgan learned enough during his year in exile to impress the K-State staff.

The Wildcats needed to find another receiver to pair with Aaron Lockett, whose outstanding freshman season in '98 prompted many defenses to concentrate on him in '99.

That's where Morgan came in.

Morgan not only became the Wildcats' go-to guy, but a go-deep guy. His 24-yard average on 42 receptions set a Big 12 record as he became only the second receiver in K-State history to gain 1,000 yards.

"I knew I caught people by surprise," said Morgan, the only Wildcat who was a consensus All-Big 12 pick on offense.

Now that the secret is out, Morgan will have to mix his routine, maybe run more stuff underneath like the wide receiver screen he broke for big gains in last year's finale against Missouri.

But Morgan isn't so sure he'll attract much double coverage.

"I don't think so," he boldly predicted. "Everybody thinks their corners can go one-on-one. Plus, when you've got somebody like Lockett, a speedster who can go the distance, both guys can't be double-teamed. If they want to put their No. 1 corner on me, I'll be looking for a great matchup."

Lindy's Football Annuals (National, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10, ACC, plus Pro) are available at newsstands regionally, or can be orw.lindyssports.com">www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.