SDSU alumnus Antonio Morales builds a national career in sports journalism

Antonio Morales’ journey as a San Diego State student took him from campus reporter to national college football journalist. Today, Morales covers college football for The Athletic, part of The New York Times Co.

Morales began his career at SDSU after transferring from a junior college. “The first semester was just kind of getting a lay of the land and figuring out how things worked. Second semester, I joined the Daily Aztec,” he recalls. Initially covering women's water polo, he quickly moved to the softball beat, showing a work ethic that would have a major impact on his career. “By the end of that semester, the sports editor position was open… I got the job. Things moved pretty quickly that first year.”

His approach to journalism has always been marked by seriousness and urgency. “Whether it was women's water polo, softball, football at the Daily Aztec to freelancing at the Orange County Register, I treated everything like it was the biggest thing in the world… That kind of urgency helped get me to where I am today.” When he covered Jackson State and later Mississippi, he applied the same dedication: “You just have to be around every day and show up every day.”

After graduation, Morales didn’t immediately enter professional sports journalism. He freelanced high school games for the Orange County Register, often driving long distances to cover Friday night football. “For every three games I rode, they paid me for four… Later, they ended up hiring me full time.” From those beginnings, Morales’ career began to accelerate.

Morales’ reporting career leaped when he joined The Athletic as a USC beat writer. Seven years later, he was promoted to the national staff, covering roster construction and player acquisition across college football programs. “I followed recruiting before I even covered high school football or college football. It was something I was something I followed very closely.” His work now combines information gathering, including player rankings, transfer insights and conversations with coaches and personnel.

Reflecting on his career, Morales emphasizes the importance of mentorship, hard work and seizing every opportunity. “SDSU gave me the opportunity to be a sports writer… It was very valuable and a choice that I look back on with no regrets.” Today, Morales continues to inspire aspiring journalists who hope to follow in his footsteps.