Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Behren Morton is an American professional football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Before entering the NFL, he established himself as a talented quarterback at Texas Tech University, where he became known for his leadership, determination, and impressive passing abilities.
Born on January 17, 2002, in Lubbock, Texas, Morton comes from a family with strong connections to football. His father, James Morton, is a former college football player and longtime high school coach, while his mother, Suni Morton, has supported his athletic journey since childhood. Behren also grew up with two older sisters, McKayla and Maggie Morton.
In his personal life, Morton has been romantically linked to Kate Leibel, a former Texas Tech women’s soccer player. Their relationship became publicly documented during his college football career.
Here is everything you need to know about Behren Morton’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.
Behren Morton’s Girlfriend: Who Is He Dating?
Behren Morton’s publicly known girlfriend is Kate Leibel, a former soccer player at Texas Tech University.
The couple began dating in June 2023 while both were attending Texas Tech. At the time, Morton was developing his reputation as a quarterback for the Red Raiders, while Leibel was pursuing her college soccer career.
Their relationship attracted attention as both athletes became familiar figures within the university’s sports community.
Kate regularly supported Behren at football games, sharing photographs and messages celebrating his accomplishments on social media.
In January 2026, Us Weekly published a relationship timeline confirming that the couple had been together for more than two years.
As of now, Kate Leibel remains Morton’s most recently publicly documented girlfriend, although there have been no widely confirmed updates establishing whether their relationship has changed since early 2026.
Who Is Kate Leibel?
Kate Leibel is a former collegiate soccer player who represented the Texas Tech Red Raiders women’s soccer team.
She attended Texas Tech University, where she balanced academic responsibilities with competitive athletics.
Following her college soccer experience, Leibel became involved in providing private soccer lessons to young players in the Lubbock, Texas, area.
Her athletic background gave her and Behren a shared understanding of the challenges associated with college sports, including training schedules, competition, and maintaining physical fitness.
While Morton competed on the football field, Leibel pursued her passion for soccer and supported his development as a quarterback.
How Did Behren Morton and Kate Leibel Meet?
Behren Morton and Kate Leibel developed their relationship while attending Texas Tech University.
Although the exact circumstances of their first meeting have not been widely documented, the couple began dating in June 2023, shortly after Leibel completed her freshman year.
In December 2023, Kate shared photographs from a Christmas visit to Morton’s hometown of Eastland, Texas, suggesting that she had already become familiar with his family.
The following year, in June 2024, they celebrated their first anniversary together.
Kate marked the occasion with an Instagram tribute featuring photographs of the couple and describing Behren as her best friend.
In March 2025, the couple also enjoyed a trip to Fredericksburg, Texas, where they visited local wineries and spent time together away from their athletic commitments.
During the 2025 football season, Leibel continued showing her support for Morton, frequently attending Texas Tech games and wearing clothing associated with his football career.
Is Behren Morton Married?
As of now, Behren Morton has no publicly confirmed wife.
Although his relationship with Kate Leibel has received media attention, there has been no reliable public announcement confirming that the couple married or became engaged.
Therefore, Morton is not publicly known to be married.
Does Behren Morton Have Children?
As of now, Behren Morton has no publicly confirmed children.
The New England Patriots quarterback has not publicly announced having a son or daughter with Kate Leibel or anyone else.
Morton has generally kept details about his private life limited, focusing much of his public attention on football and his professional development.
There have also been no verified announcements regarding plans to start a family.
Who Are Behren Morton’s Parents?
Behren Morton’s parents are James Morton and Suni Morton.
Both parents attended West Texas A&M University and have strong connections to athletics and education.
His father had a particularly significant influence on his football career, serving as both his parent and high school football coach.
Behren Morton’s Father: James Morton
James Morton is a former American football player and retired Texas high school football coach.
He played college football at West Texas A&M University, where he established himself as a talented running back from 1985 to 1987.
His performances earned him recognition, and he was inducted into the university’s Hall of Champions in 2009.
James also received an opportunity with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before pursuing a career in coaching.
After his playing career, he became a respected high school football coach in Texas, spending decades helping young athletes develop their skills.
His coaching career included positions at several schools, particularly:
- Lubbock Monterey High School: He served as head football coach for approximately 11 years.
- Midland Lee High School: He became head coach in 2009.
- Eastland High School: He returned to his hometown in 2016 and coached the Eastland Mavericks, including his son Behren.
James retired from coaching in April 2023 after accumulating 206 victories during his high school coaching career.
How James Morton Influenced Behren’s Football Career
James Morton played an exceptionally important role in his son’s development as a quarterback.
Behren grew up around football practices, locker rooms, coaching meetings, and competitive games because of his father’s profession.
As a young child, he frequently accompanied his father to football activities and developed an early understanding of the sport.
When Behren attended Eastland High School, James was the school’s head football coach.
Despite their family relationship, James reportedly insisted that his son earn his playing opportunities rather than receive preferential treatment.
During Behren’s freshman year, James required him to use the freshman locker room even though he was participating in varsity football activities.
The approach reflected his belief in discipline, accountability, and earning respect through performance.
Behren eventually developed into one of Texas’ highly regarded high school quarterbacks, attracting attention from major college football programs.
His father continued supporting him at Texas Tech and celebrated when the Red Raiders won the Big 12 Championship during the 2025 season.
Behren Morton’s Mother: Suni Morton
Behren Morton’s mother is Suni Morton, a graduate of West Texas A&M University.
She has strong connections to Texas communities where her husband worked throughout his coaching career.
Before marrying James, Suni worked in banking and had connections to basketball through her school years in Groom, Texas.
According to reporting by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Suni and James began dating on April 1, 1995.
The couple subsequently married and established a family centered around education, athletics, and community involvement.
Suni has been an important source of encouragement throughout Behren’s football journey.
She supported her son during his childhood, high school career, and years at Texas Tech.
Suni has also shared the family story behind Behren’s distinctive first name, explaining that it honors a close family friend who significantly influenced James Morton’s life.
Although James attracted public recognition through his coaching career, Suni has maintained a comparatively private life.
Behren Morton’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Behren Morton has two older sisters, McKayla Morton and Maggie McKall Morton.
He is the youngest of the three children in the Morton family.
Unlike Behren, whose football career has attracted national attention, his sisters have generally maintained more private lives.
1. McKayla Morton
McKayla Morton is Behren Morton’s oldest sister.
She was born around 1990 and is the daughter of James Morton and his first wife, Megan Morton.
Tragically, Megan died unexpectedly in November 1991 when McKayla was approximately one year old.
After her mother’s death, McKayla was raised by her father, who later married Suni Morton.
McKayla subsequently became part of the blended Morton family alongside her younger siblings.
Texas Tech’s earlier football media materials have also identified her as McKayla Keeler.
Although McKayla has not pursued the same level of public attention as her younger brother, she remains part of the family’s story.
Information about her current occupation and personal relationships is limited in reliable public sources.
2. Maggie McKall Morton
Maggie McKall Morton is Behren Morton’s other older sister.
She shares her younger brother’s interest in athletics and participated in competitive sports activities during childhood.
In December 2015, Maggie and Behren both qualified for the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick team championship competition at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
At the time, Maggie was approximately 15 years old, while Behren was 13.
Both siblings advanced through local and sectional competitions, earning opportunities to participate at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.
The achievement demonstrated that Behren was not the only athletic member of the family.
Maggie later attended Texas Tech University, according to the university’s football media guide.
Further details about her professional career and personal life have not been extensively documented publicly.
Does Behren Morton Have a Brother?
No. According to official player biographies published by Texas Tech and the New England Patriots, Behren Morton has two older sisters and no publicly known brothers.
Why Is Behren Morton Named Behren?
One particularly meaningful aspect of Behren Morton’s family history is the origin of his unusual first name.
Behren was named after Jerry Behrens, a former college football player and longtime Texas high school coach who became an important mentor to James Morton.
Jerry supported James through one of the most difficult periods of his life following the unexpected death of his first wife, Megan, in 1991.
During that time, James was raising his young daughter McKayla while continuing his responsibilities as a high school football coach.
Jerry provided friendship, guidance, and emotional support, eventually becoming something of a father figure to James.
When James and Suni later welcomed their son, they chose the name Behren to honor their close family friend.
Jerry also served as Behren’s godfather.
Behren’s full name is Behren Bascom Morton, with Bascom representing another name passed down through the family.
The name reflects the family’s appreciation for friendship, mentorship, and loyalty.
Behren Morton’s Childhood and Family Background
Behren Morton grew up in Texas, where football was part of everyday family life.
He spent much of his childhood in Lubbock while his father coached at Monterey High School.
During those years, Behren developed an interest in Texas Tech football and became particularly inspired by former Red Raiders quarterback Graham Harrell.
As a child, he participated in a community program connecting young children with Texas Tech football players.
Harrell became his assigned football buddy, strengthening his early ambition to play quarterback for the Red Raiders.
Behren later moved with his family as his father accepted other coaching positions.
He eventually attended Eastland High School, where he played football under his father’s guidance.
During his high school career, he accumulated more than 8,800 passing yards and 84 passing touchdowns over three seasons.
His performances attracted recruitment interest from several universities, but he ultimately chose Texas Tech, fulfilling a childhood ambition.
How Behren Morton’s Family Supported His NFL Journey
Behren Morton’s family provided a strong foundation for his athletic development long before he entered professional football.
His father’s coaching experience helped him learn the technical and mental aspects of playing quarterback.
His mother provided family support, while his sisters shared in the competitive environment of growing up in an athletic household.
Behren played college football at Texas Tech from 2021 through 2025, establishing himself as one of the program’s accomplished quarterbacks.
During his senior season, he helped lead Texas Tech to its first Big 12 Conference championship and a College Football Playoff appearance.
After completing his college career, Morton entered the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots selected him in the seventh round with the 234th overall pick.
His selection marked an important milestone for the Morton family, particularly for his father, who had spent decades teaching and coaching football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Behren Morton’s Family
Who is Behren Morton’s girlfriend?
Behren Morton’s most recently publicly documented girlfriend is Kate Leibel, a former Texas Tech soccer player. They began dating in June 2023.
Is Behren Morton married?
As of now, there is no publicly confirmed information indicating that Behren Morton is married.
Does Behren Morton have children?
As of now, Behren Morton has no publicly confirmed children.
Who is Behren Morton’s father?
His father is James Morton, a former West Texas A&M football player and longtime high school football coach who coached Behren at Eastland High School.
Who is Behren Morton’s mother?
His mother is Suni Morton, a West Texas A&M University graduate who has supported his football career since childhood.
How many siblings does Behren Morton have?
Behren Morton has two older sisters, McKayla Morton and Maggie McKall Morton.
Does Behren Morton have any brothers?
No. Behren Morton has no publicly known brothers.
Why is Behren Morton named Behren?
His parents named him after Jerry Behrens, a respected football coach, close family friend, and mentor to his father, James Morton.
Where is Behren Morton from?
Behren Morton was born in Lubbock, Texas, and later attended Eastland High School in Eastland, Texas.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
