“To be the starting quarterback for Texas Tech has meant a lot to me…There's a lot to expect from this offense. It’s going to be very explosive,” said Behren Morton as he described what fans should expect from the 2024 Texas Tech football season.
Originally from Eastland, Texas, Behren Morton began his journey with Texas Tech football as a redshirt freshman in 2021. Following that season, his time as a Red Raider has been just like what he described above–explosive. Solidifying himself as TTU’s starting quarterback by the end of his sophomore year, Morton appears eager to return to the Jones AT&T Stadium for another season, naming his fellow offensive teammates as the guys he knows will have his back as he leads the team to victory in the fall.
But living the student-athlete life has brought Morton success in more ways than just on the gridiron.
As the QB entered his second year as a Red Raider, the landscape of college sports changed completely. Finally, collegiate student-athletes could profit from their name, image, and likeness. The era of NIL began.
“The Matador Club has obviously helped out so much. Not just for football, for all other sports, as well…Just buying everything that you need to to become successful, on and off the field,” Morton said.
The Matador Club, a non-profit NIL organization that supports Texas Tech student-athletes, became more than an ATM for students like Morton. In return for community service with local charities in the West Texas area, student-athletes receive NIL compensation and support with money management and investing in their futures.
Morton spoke about life as a student-athlete after The Matador Club stepped in once NIL laws changed. Not only does it place “scholarship” players and walk-on players on the same playing field, but it continually sets the entire team up for a successful future.
“We see a lot of guys coming in here and talking about the future they’re planning, the investments they're making …We have not taken it lightly either…This wouldn't be possible without The Matador Club.” Morton said, “So having that support, learning financial information before you're even out of college…it's going to help us later down the road.”
The Matador Club has also provided the team with financial assistance to pay for off-season football camps, trainings, and gear, which, Morton says, has paid off.
When asked what to expect from the upcoming season, Behren spoke not of himself but of the men around him who make up this team. Name after name, Morton proudly spoke of how the Red Raiders have put in the work to leave behind a memorable, winning season this year.
And although he finds himself on the national stage, Morton has not forgotten where he came from.
“It's a very unique place. We live on 100 acres, we’ve got four fishing ponds, six donkeys. You know, it's home. I love being in Eastland.”
The Texas Tech football season kicks off on August 31st at home against the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
Are you interested in investing in the future of student-athletes? Support hundreds of Red Raiders just like Behren when you donate to the Matador Club.