A healthy Morrison could be a healthy draft option for Packers
By GERY WOELFEL
The NFL Scouting Combine is always an important event for draft prospects.
How a prospect fares at the week-long gathering before a horde of NFL general managers, coaches and scouts can positively or negatively impact his draft stock.
Benjamin Morrison, a highly talented cornerback from Notre Dame, finds himself in that tenuous position. With a strong showing, Morrison could solidify himself as a first-round selection in April’s draft, which will be held in Green Bay.
On the flip side, if questions linger about a hip injury he suffered last season, he could easily tumble out of the fist round.
Morrison was generally regarded as an upper-tier prospect going into last season with the Irish. And understandably so.
Morrison had made a huge splash as a freshman with six interceptions, including one for a pick-six, and four pass breakups.
Morrison also played at a high level in his sophomore season, picking off three passes and recording 25 solo tackles.
Then, last season, Morrison had four pass breakups and 20 tackles in Notre Dame’s first six games before incurring a season-ending hip injury against Stanford.
It’s a certainty NFL officials will be paying close attention to the medicals reports on Morrison at the Combine. Two of his Irish teammates – quarterback Riley Leonard and linebacker Jack Kiser – are fully confident Morrison will pass his physical exams with flying colors.
“I think it has been outstanding,’’ Leonard replied when asked about Morrison’s rehab. “Two more weeks and he would have been able to play in the national championship game.
“I’m not a doctor, but I believe that would have happened.’’
Leonard was referring to Notre Dame playing Ohio State on Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Notre Dame lost 34-23.
“The one thing about Ben … his mentality and the way he goes to work every single day is below none,’’ Kiser said. “Knowing Ben, knowing the work he puts in, he’s going to be better than he was before.’’
Morrison is one of several cornerbacks in this draft who are drawing intense scrutiny from the Green Bay Packers, who could be moving on without veterans Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes.
Alexander has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons. He missed 10 games last season, just like he did the season before. In the 2021 season, he played a mere four games.
Stokes’ availability in recent years has been almost as troubling for the Packers. While he played in 17 games last season, after appearing in only three games the season before, he made minimal impact. He failed to make an interception, marking the third straight season he didn’t pick off a pass.
What’s more, Stokes is an unrestricted free agent.
If there aren’t any red flags concerning his health, the 6-foot, 190-pound Morrison could dramatically upgrade the health of the Packers secondary. He seemingly has the whole package: speed, quickness, instincts, physicality and play-making ability.
“He’s a technician,’’ Kiser said of Morrison. “If you watch the way he works and how he focuses on the little details, his footwork, his drop, it’s very impressive.’’
Added Leonard, who transferred from Duke to Notre Dame for his final college season: “I remember playing against him when I was at Duke. Our coach told us not to throw it to his side of the field. If that doesn’t say enough about him …’’
Actually, Leonard and Kiser did have something else to ay about Morrison.
“He’s a guy you’d want as a teammate, for sure,’’ Kiser said.
Added Leonard: “His character is probably the best I’ve ever been around. He’s an outstanding person.’’
