Anthony Morelli

1 Biography
2 References
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[edit] Biography

As a junior at Penn Hills HS, Anthony Morelli completed 78 passes over 148 attempts (53% completion percentage) for 1,880 yards and 21 touchdowns, while throwing only 9 interceptions. He averaged greater than 24 yards per completion. As a senior, Morelli was 96/184 for 1,649 yards, 15 TD passes and only 4 interceptions. For his career as a four-year starter, Morelli was 268/590 for 5,244 yards and 56 touchdown passes. Nationwide, Anthony was ranked in the top five by many scouting services. He was named to the 2003 Pittsburgh Post Gazette "Fabulous 22".

Since the day 10-year-old Anthony Morelli stepped up and fired a ball 50 yards to win the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition in front of a full house at Three Rivers Stadium, the tremendous arm strength, quick release and multiple skills of the Nittany Lion junior quarterback have been the subject of much conversation. Penn State followers have caught glimpses of the accurate, tight spirals and head-spinning velocity as he saw time in 11 games over his first two seasons. But, his talents were on full display in the 2006 Blue-White game as Morelli commanded the first-team offense and completed 13 of 16 passes for 191 yards. His arm strength and a stable of young and athletic receivers provides the Nittany Lions with a variety of options in the passing game to best utilize the abilities of the front-runner to replace Michael Robinson, the 2005 Big Ten Most Valuable Player. Rated the No. 2 pro-style quarterback by Rivals.com coming out of Penn Hills HS in suburban Pittsburgh, Morelli has thrown just 33 passes for 200 yards in his career. But, he has improved and learned valuable leadership lessons playing first behind career total offense leader Zack Mills (2004) and then Robinson. In the most extensive action of his career, Morelli demonstrated strong play in last year’s win over Central Michigan, going eight-of-13 for 107 yards, with a 55-yard scoring strike to Ethan Kilmer. Morelli, who threw for 5,255 yards and 57 TDs while setting every passing record in four seasons as a starter at Penn Hills, now has a huddle demeanor and intricate knowledge of the game to match his physical gifts. He has tremendous drive, determination and passion to lead the Nittany Lions to further successes on the heels of last year’s Big Ten title. Morelli will have a great opportunity to do so as he guides a Penn State offense that returns all but one other skill player (tight end Isaac Smolko) from an offense that was second in the Big Ten in scoring (first in conference games) in 2005.

2005 Sophomore Season Morelli continued to make very good progress during his sophomore season and played in six games behind Michael Robinson, the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player. He was an efficient 13-of-20 (65.0) for 155 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He had four carries for minus-eight yards. In the most extensive action of his career, Morelli demonstrated strong play in the win over Central Michigan, as he and Robinson combined to throw for 381 yards, the second-highest total in school history. He entered the game in the third quarter and was eight-of-13 for 107 yards, with a 55-yard scoring strike to Ethan Kilmer. The effort marked the first time the Nittany Lions had two quarterbacks throw for more than 100 yards in the same game since the 1999 Pigskin Classic against Arizona (Kevin Thompson and Rashard Casey). Morelli also was sharp against Cincinnati, completing four of five passes for 25 yards. He entered the Illinois game in the second quarter and was one-of-two for 23 yards in the first half. He played extensively in the second half, but Penn State did not attempt any passes after opening a 56-3 halftime lead. Morelli was on the field for 62 snaps, with a season-high 21 against the Illini.

2004 Freshman Season Morelli made his collegiate debut as a true freshman in the season-opener against Akron, completing two of six pass attempts for 23 yards. He quickly emerged as the No. 3 signal-caller behind veterans Zack Mills and Michael Robinson. He went on to play in five games, completing five of 13 attempts for 45 yards and one interception. He was two-of-two for nine yards against UCF and had a 13-yard completion and an interception at Indiana. Morelli also played against Purdue and in the win over Michigan State.

High School Morelli is the most decorated quarterback to come out of Penn Hills HS. Coached by Neil Gordon, he was the first four-year starter in school history. During his junior year, he passed for 1,880 yards and threw 20 touchdown passes. He followed that up with a senior campaign in which he threw for 1,575 yards and 16 touchdowns. For his career, he threw for 5,255 yards and 57 touchdowns. As a senior, he was selected for the USA Today Top 25 Supreme Team, and was a SuperPrep All-American. He was rated as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the nation, the No. 1 prospect overall from Pennsylvania, and the No. 12 prospect overall in the nation by Rivals.com. He was a two-time Associated Press Class AAAA all-state selection, as well as a two-time Western Pennsylvania district all-star, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 selection. He led Penn Hills to the Western Pennsylvania district semifinals as a junior and senior. At the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp, he was voted the “Top Arm” by coaches and college counselors. He played in the 2004 Big 33 Classic. Morelli also played basketball one year but stopped playing in order to prepare himself for football year-round. He graduated with a 3.3 grade-point average and was the recipient of the President's Education Award for outstanding academic achievement.