Morris Signs With Athletics

Lincoln - University of Nebraska catcher Jed Morris became the first 2002 Husker to sign a professional contract when he inked a pact with the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday.

A first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball Weekly and Collegiate Baseball, Morris enjoyed one of the most prolific offensive seasons in school history. The 6-0, 195-pounder from Seabrook, Texas, batted .382 with 23 homers and 90 RBIs, setting or tying single-season marks in RBIs, doubles (26), total bases (201), extra-base hits (50) and sacrifice flies (12). Morris was the Big 12 Player of the Year, Nebraska's first conference player of the year since current Anaheim Angel Darin Erstad was selected in 1995, and was one of three finalists for the ABCA's National Player of the Year. Morris, whose 23 homers also ranked second on single-season lists, started all 68 games this past season.

Morris spent two years in the Husker program after transferring from Tyler Junior College prior to the 2001 season. He batted .367 with 30 homers and 132 RBIs in 123 contests, including 110 starts. A second-team All-Big 12 honoree as a sophomore, he batted .341 with seven homers and 41 RBIs in his first season at Nebraska, helping the Huskers to a 50-16 record and the school's first appearance in the College World Series.

A 36th round selection, Morris was one of four Huskers selected in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, joining junior center fielder Jeff Leise (Anaheim, seventh round) and pitchers Shane Komine (Oakland, ninth round) and Waylon Byers (Florida, 21st round).

Nebraska finished the 2002 campaign with a 47-21 record and the school's second straight appearance in the College World Series. The Huskers finished second in the Big 12 in both the regular season and tournament before winning their third straight regional title and second straight Super Regional crown.