BALTIMORE, Md. – As the Morgan State Bears gear up for the 2024 HBCU football season, one name is making waves in the quarterback room: sophomore Tahj Smith. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback from Fredericksburg, Virginia, has emerged as the frontrunner to lead Morgan State’s offense and is poised to take the reins heading into the fall.
After appearing in five games last season and starting the final four, Smith is no stranger to the pressures of leading an offense. During his freshman campaign, he completed 29-of-71 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns. What’s more, he was the third-leading rusher for the Baltimore, Maryland-based HBCU, adding 159 yards on the ground with an average of 4.1 yards per carry and two rushing touchdowns. His dual-threat ability gives the Bears a versatile weapon under center.
Smith’s emergence as the starting quarterback, however, is still part of an ongoing competition. He’s facing pressure from a talented group that includes former starters Dominique Anthony and Duce Taylor. But, according to Morgan State head coach Damon Wilson, Smith is the clear leader going into Week 1.
“Tahj is the starting quarterback with us going into week one,” Coach Wilson told Morgan State Athletic Communications. “But Dominique [Anthony], Kobe [Muasau], and Duce [Taylor] have continued to push. They’ve had good days, but we have to have a starting point.”
As Smith settles into his role as QB1, the focus shifts to how well he can sync with his receivers and execute new offensive coordinator Apollo Wright’s game plan.
“The chemistry between the quarterbacks and receivers is getting better,” said Coach Wilson. “We’re not there yet, but the good thing is we still have a few weeks before game time.”
Smith echoed the importance of building that rapport with his receivers, noting that his trust in the wideout corps is growing by the day.
“Our receivers have been playing great, honestly,” Smith said. “We have guys everywhere, inside and outside. I don’t really have a favorite target. I think everybody can go. We have a deep rotation this year, and it’s going to be special to watch.”
With Smith’s poise in the pocket and a deep receiving group, the potential is there for Morgan State to elevate its offensive performance from last season’s 4-6 finish. Coach Wright’s offensive scheme is designed to play to the strengths of the roster, and Smith has already bought in.
“Working with Coach Wright has been really good,” said Smith. “He’s putting us in the right position to make plays, and he’s working the personnel to a point where we can execute at a higher level.”
One of the biggest assets to Smith’s development has been Morgan State’s defense, a unit widely regarded as one of the best in the MEAC and HBCU football. Led by standouts Eric Hunter and Elijah Williams, the defense pushes Smith every day in practice, sharpening his skills and preparing him for game-day situations.
“It’s really fun. They get you prepared for anything,” Smith said. “I think this is the best defense I’ve played in college. Going against them every day has helped me a lot.”
Coach Wilson agreed, emphasizing how important it is for Taj Smith to get those competitive reps in against such a talented group.
“We’ve continued to get better and do the little things right,” said Wilson. “However, we still have to be more consistent. We haven’t had three good practices in a row yet, but we’re getting there.”
With Smith under center and a defense that’s as formidable as any in the conference, the Bears are setting their sights on the MEAC title. But it won’t be easy, and the team knows it still has work to do to reach its potential.
For Tahj Smith, the focus remains on refining his game and building trust with his teammates. If he can continue his upward trajectory, Morgan State may have found the quarterback it needs to take the next step in the MEAC.
Smith’s final words reflect the mindset of a player ready to lead: “I’m staying focused on standing poised in the pocket, trusting what I see, and trusting in the looks the defense gives.”
As the 2024 HBCU football season approaches, all eyes will be on Tahj Smith to see if he can lead Morgan State to new heights.