IPBG Defensive Player of Year: Hilton Head Island's Jestin Morrow

Hilton Head Island head football coach B.J. Payne called Jestin Morrow "the most dynamic skill player I have ever had the opportunity to coach. Any time he is near the ball, he gets the ball. He makes plays."

That dynamic quality earned the senior defensive back/wide receiver the title of Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette Defensive Player of the Year.

Morrow, who is committed as a cornerback to Marshall, is one of the fastest players in the area, if not the state, though his size may have kept him from getting offers from bigger FBS schools.

But he plays big.

Morrow had a season any corner would be proud of.

The North-South All-Star had four interceptions and broke up 19 passes. He made 42 tackles, forced three fumbles and had four fumble recoveries.

Factor in Morrow's five kickoff returns and one punt return for touchdowns, and he was a force.

"I felt like I had to step it up this season for my senior year," Morrow said.

In the North-South game, Morrow proved he belonged, making two tackles, grabbing an interception and returning a kickoff 52 yards.

A starting wide receiver as well, "he never left the field for us," Payne said.

Payne said Morrow is extremely vocal on the field, but backs it up. He's confident, not cocky.

"He doesn't think anybody can cover him on offense," Payne said. "And on defense, he doesn't think there's anybody that can consistently get open on him. They may get him every now and then, but those are the exceptions, not the rule."

Morrow credited some of his success to playing full-time on both sides of the ball.

"It's easier if you know what the other player is trying to do," he said.

Morrow, who started school at 4 years old, played six games this season as an unusually young 16-year-old senior.

Payne believes that may play a role in some late scholarship offers for Morrow, with the logic being that he's still likely to grow.

"He's got to put on some weight at the next level," Payne said, "but he's really young."

Passed over for the Shrine Bowl, Morrow claims he's not concerned with the accolades he did or didn't get this year.

"Do I think I'm underrated?" Morrow said. "Nah. I don't really care about that stuff. I mean, I care, but ...

"I mean, if I belonged there, they'd have picked me, right?"

This story was originally published December 27, 2015 at 3:41 AM with the headline "IPBG Defensive Player of Year: Hilton Head Island's Jestin Morrow."