At first glance, Antonio Morrison’s success this season isn’t that surprising.
Through five games, the senior linebacker has a team-leading 40 tackles, good for ninth in the Southeastern Conference, along with 6.5 tackles for loss.
If you compare those numbers with his junior season, in which he recorded 101 tackles and six tackles for loss, he’s right on pace.
Maybe even a little ahead of schedule.
But that would only paint part of the picture.
The impressive thing about Morrison’s 2015 season is what he had to overcome just to have a senior year.
"There’s the story of this football team," Florida coach Jim McElwain said.
"Man, my hat’s off to that guy for what he did giving up himself for this team to be good."
It started in the Birmingham Bowl on Jan. 3, a game which threw Morrison’s football future in doubt.
That was when the senior blew out his left knee, an injury so excruciating that ESPN’s television cameras were able to pick up his screams echoing throughout Legion Field.
He was carted off the field that day with serious doubts if he would ever play again, much less if he could return before the season-opener.
And if he was able to return, there was no guarantee that he would be the same player that was carted off in Birmingham.
But he was able to do both.
"I wouldn’t say I’m surprised. I knew what he was going to do," defensive back Brian Poole said.
"It’s impressive, but that’s Antonio. That’s what he’s been doing since he’s been here."
After pouring in months of work and rehab, Morrison was ready to start on Sept. 5 against New Mexico State.
It’s a recovery time McElwain has called nothing short of miraculous, and his teammates have attributed it to the exceptional work ethic the linebacker possesses.
"He’s the true definition of a hard worker," safety Keanu Neal said.
"That’s kind of cliché to say, but he’s definitely the hardest worker I’ve ever been around.
"At practice, meetings, just all over the place, he’s dialed in. He’s giving 110 (percent) every time."
Now, just a few weeks into the season, Morrison already appears to be back in top form.
He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against Ole Miss, a game in which he recorded 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and half a sack against what was then the second highest scoring offense in college football.
But don’t ask Morrison about it.
Individual performances aren’t part of his motivation, and he doesn’t want any credit for anything he’s overcome this offseason.
Nothing else matters to him except wins and losses.
"We won, that’s all I care about," Morrison said about the SEC honor.
"It ain’t (about) me as an individual."
His team-first attitude is part of what endears the senior to his teammates and his coaches, and it’s likely why he’s been able to make such an impressive individual recovery.
It’s never been about what he can do himself, and because of that, he doesn’t like to talk about the praise he’s garnering from his performances.
But as can be expected, his humble attitude is noticed by Morrison's teammates.
They see his sacrifice and dedication while knowing its part of the process.
"He doesn’t want the credit," Neal said.
"And that’s good. That’s how it should be.
"You should be very selfless playing this game. You should care about your teammates and he does."
Follow Graham Hack on Twitter @graham_hack24
Linebacker Antonio Morrison pumps up the crowd during Florida's 38-10 win against Ole Miss on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
