Committed to Illinois football for kicking, Oak Forest’s Ulysses Morales pulls double duty as soccer standout
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Oak Forest’s Ulysses Morales has carved out a future in football that he never expected for himself, but the senior midfielder hasn’t lost his passion for soccer.
Morales, who started kicking for the Bengals as a sophomore, committed to Illinois football in June. He considered quitting soccer but then decided having an extra-busy fall would be worth it.
“The football coaches are the ones who actually told me I should play,” Morales said. “My soccer coaches just gave me the support and told me they’d support my decision either way.
“I’m glad I chose to play soccer. It’s my final year, and I’m able to play with my friends and play the game I’ve been playing all my life, even though I’m moving toward football now.”
That decision makes for some hectic weekends like this past one. He kicked in Oak Forest football’s 38-0 win Friday night over Stagg but was back on the soccer field Saturday to help the Bengals beat Mount Carmel 1-0 in a Windy City Ram Classic consolation game.
“I’ve been doing both sports since sophomore year, but this is the first year that I’ve really focused a ton on football, so it’s been the toughest year,” Morales said. “My legs are still adjusting. I’ve been going to the trainer a lot more before, during games, even after games.
“There’s a lot more I have to do recovery-wise, but I think it’s worth it.”
Morales’ football journey has been a wild one. He didn’t even try football kicking until his sophomore season and he didn’t initially believe it was going anywhere.
“After my sophomore year, I wasn’t sure if it was worth it to keep playing,” Morales said. “I didn’t know if it was worth the time and the money to keep going. But I have a really good kicking coach, Chris Nendick.
“He kept me going and he put the confidence in me. He helped me with my form, my power, my strength.”
Morales made five field goals last season for Oak Forest and was consistently strong on kickoffs. But his future in the sport began to take shape over the offseason when he impressed college coaches at a few camps.
“In January, the first school that ever talked to me was Purdue,” Morales said. “I was shocked they wanted to talk to me. Then things kind of cooled off until March and I got my first offer from Arkansas State.
“That was my only offer until June, and then when Illinois offered, I committed on the spot. It made me so happy. With everything I’ve worked for, it was a great feeling and I got to share it with my family.”
Morales believes the biggest strides he’s made with his kicking have been mental ones.
“Sophomore year, I doubted myself,” Morales said. “I didn’t want to go into the game. I was super scared. Now, I trust myself more. I want to be in the spot to make the game-winning kick.
“I want the team to trust me and know that I’m going to make it in those moments.”
On the soccer field, Morales has certainly earned that trust as well, according to Oak Forest coach Alex Alvarez.
“I know football is his No. 1 thing right now because it’s going to take him farther in life, but we know he loves soccer, so we told him, ‘It’s up to you,’” Alvarez said. “We’re going to be lenient if he can’t always be here.
“It’s great to have him on the team. He’s not a captain this year, but all the kids still look at him as a leader.”
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