David Morris can’t say enough good things about Kadarius Toney.
Morris trained the former Florida wide receiver throughout his high school career.
However, he trained him as a quarterback.
“I really believe that Kadarius could be getting drafted as a quarterback this week,” said Morris, who founded the quarterback development company QB Country. “As silly as it might sound, I think Kadarius could have been the next Lamar Jackson if he had been given a chance at quarterback.
“He’s that talented. Heck, he could be drafted as a corner or safety, too. He can do it all.”
Toney could have his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night. CBS Sports projects him as the No. 29 overall pick to the Green Bay Packers in its latest draft analysis.
Toney went up-and-down the field as a quarterback in his final two years at Blount High School. He threw for 6,498 yards and 69 touchdowns and ran for 1,790 yards and 31 touchdowns. He was the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A Back of the Year as a senior.
However, not too many Power 5 schools offered the elusive Toney a chance to play quarterback at the next level.
“I was a little bit surprised,” Morris said. “Not only is Kadarius athletic, not only does he have a super strong arm, but he also has that dog mentality. He’s a tough, earn it, blue-collar worker that you can build a team around.
“I thought someone would fall in love with him once they figured that out. I can see the other side, too. Coaches can see a dynamic player and think, ‘if we can get him the ball in space, he will be amazing.’ Now imagine if he had the ball in his hands every play. At the time, it was frustrating, but I see the thought process.”
Once the 6-foot, 193-pound Toney made the full-time transition from quarterback to wide receiver at Florida, Morris stopped coaching him. However, he said the two remain close and have stayed in touch.
Toney improved each year at the wide receiver spot for the Gators. After catching 50 passes for 606 yards and two touchdowns in his first three seasons at Florida, Toney had 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2020.
He was selected to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in January.
Blount's Kadarius Toney (4) runs the ball during the Spanish Fort at Blount football game, Friday, September 30, 2016, at Blount High School in Prichard, Ala. (Scott Donaldson | preps@al.com) Scott Donaldson/al.comScott Donaldson/al.com
“He’s the most dynamic player I’ve coached,” Blount coach Lev Holly said. “The kid is exceptional. Very explosive, very elusive, very strong. Just a guy who plays the game with a different passion.
“You have to also credit those guys around him. They were a collective unit. I was blessed to walk into a situation where they were loaded with talent. Coach Mark (Hurt) did a really good job putting everything in place, and we just tried to add on when we got here.”
In interviews with different NFL scouts over the last few weeks, Holly said he feels good about Toney being picked in Thursday’s first round.
“I’ve talked to numerous coaches, scouts, guys who are doing their background and work,” Holly said on Sports Talk 99.5 in Mobile on Wednesday. “I had one say, ‘If he’s still available (in the first round), they were going to take him.’ That’s exciting to hear.
“They love his personality. He is very open with everyone. That is part of his personality. He doesn’t shy away from anything, and we don’t expect anything different from him.”
Holly said Toney just signed an endorsement deal with Adidas this week. He said Toney certainly could have played quarterback in the SEC, but he also believes he’s where he needs to be right now.
“He was going to work his craft,” he said. “But I think he’s where God wanted him to be. We don’t question that. At the end of the day, he’s done his part and upheld it, and I think it is going to pay off for him Thursday night. We feel pretty good that his name will be called, but we’ve seen stranger things happen. One thing is for sure, Kadarius loves his city and this school, and he is going to represent it with honor wherever he goes.”
Morris said Toney has one particular trait that is likely to make him successful on the next level.
“The thing I love about him is he is a competitor,” he said. “The NFL is a business, but usually the guys who love football and have that competitive juice running through their veins are the guys that make it. He loves football and loves to compete. I would think that would be a difference maker when you get to that point. I don’t see him being a guy who gets distracted. He’ll realize it is an incredible blessing to be drafted and will make the most.”
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