Tag: Benjamin Morrison

Benjamin Morrison helped Notre Dame win from a hospital bed

Not surprising at all from Morrison

In the first game that Notre Dame didn’t have star cornerback [autotag]Benjamin Morrison[/autotag], he still helped the Irish defeat Georgia Tech 31-13.

The junior underwent hip surgery this week, as head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] told us that he has been ruled out the remainder of the season on Monday. Multiple players will try and fill his big shoes, but they aren’t alone.

As Freeman mentioned during his postgame media session, Morrison was helping his teammates prepare for the Yellow Jackets after watching film on them and breaking it down for them. He has been doing this from a hospital bed, as he currently can’t walk following the procedure.

This just shows that Morrison is the consummate teammate, one that even though he can’t be on the field with his squad, is still willing to help them win the game.

What’s also interesting about this fact is that this could be a preclude to Morrison becoming a coach after his playing career is over. Wouldn’t it be great to see him roaming the sidelines after successful NFL career?

Notre Dame corner back Benjamin Morrison addresses media after a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in South Bend.

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Matt Fortuna: Morrison injury is ‘devastating blow’ for Notre Dame

Hard to disagree here.

Few college football analysts are as intelligent as Matt Fortuna. When he has something to say about a certain topic, people listen, especially when it comes to adversity.

Notre Dame is going through perhaps its biggest adversity yet with star cornerback [autotag]Benjamin Morrison[/autotag] suddenly going out for the year with a hip injury. Naturally, this has shaken Irish fans to their core, and Fortuna says there’s every reason to feel that way.

In an appearance on “The Big College Football Show” on the Chicago Sports Network, Fortuna made it abundantly clear that this is as bad an injury scenario as the Irish could have envisioned. Not only did he call the future first-round NFL pick their “best player”, but he pointed out that this stretches the injury-ravaged defense even further.

Worse yet, Fortuna doesn’t see the Irish as they are making a deep run in the College Football Playoff if they even get there. Unfortunately, it’s hard to disagree with him:

A prayer might be the last hope Irish fans have at breaking that national championship drought this season, so hit your knees.

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Injuries sideline 2 more 2025 NFL Draft top-50 prospects for the rest of the season

Injuries sideline 2 more 2025 NFL Draft top-50 prospects for the rest of the season, including a leading contender for the top OT

It’s been a tough college football season for several 2025 NFL Draft prospects already, with a few well-regarded prospects suffering injuries that will sideline them until at least the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, if not longer.

Unfortunately, two more prospects who were prominent in the latest top-100 update of the big board have joined the injury list. Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons and Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison suffered season-ending injuries over the weekend.

Simmons had played his way into consideration as the top tackle prospect in the draft class, but a left leg injury puts an end to that upward momentum. The former San Diego State transfer was notable for his natural knee bend and flexibility as a left tackle. Hopefully, the injury doesn’t impact those qualities in Simmons.

Morrison was a regular fixture in first-round mock draft projections all season. The junior suffered a hip injury, and his availability to participate in the postseason draft events is uncertain.

Simmons and Morrison join East Carolina CB Shavon Revel, LSU LB Harold Perkins and some others as 2025 prospects who have played their last college football game due to injuries this year.

Notre Dame releases depth chart for Georgia Tech with a big change coming

This will change clearly

While the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team released its depth chart on Monday morning for its game against Georgia Tech, there was a notable player that was listed, but will be no more.

Head coach Marcus Freeman announced that star junior cornerback [autotag]Benjamin Morrison[/autotag] will miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury that will require surgery.

The rest of the defense remained the same, as the expectation is that Leonard Moore and Karson Hobbs will try and fill in Morrison’s position. It’s clearly a big loss for the Irish, as the junior was most likely playing in his final season in South Bend before heading off to the NFL.

Offensively, it’s the same starting 11 for Notre Dame, with one caveat, wide receiver Jordan Faison. The sophomore was listed on last week’s depth chart as well, but didn’t see the field. Freeman told the media that he isn’t quite 100% yet, but will give it a go as long as the medical team clears him.

Incoming defensive back Rod Heard, left, and injured Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison watch a drill at football practice Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend.

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Notre Dame football loses another star player for the rest of the year

Not great news for the Irish

In a shocking announcement during Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman’s Monday afternoon press conference, he announced that star cornerback [autotag]Benjamin Morrison[/autotag] will miss the remainder of the season.

The junior defender was expected to be on multiple All-American lists following the completion of the year, but that will now not happen as a hip injury will sideline him for the rest of the campaign and possibly his Irish career.

Freeman said “it’s a blow for our team… You feel terrible for the kid,” when talking about Morrison. While the impact that he has had not quite been felt on the field this fall, it has to do with teams not testing him after entering the season with 9 career interceptions.

While Morrison could come back for his senior year, he most likely will grade out very high with NFL scouts and move on to the next level. It’s a huge blow to the Notre Dame defense as we wish Benjamin the best going forward.

Notre Dame corner back Benjamin Morrison (20) walks with his team during warm ups before a NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend.

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49ers prepare for big free agent losses in mock draft

The Notre Dame defensive back was named to the 2024 AP All-American second team.

As college football season heats, so does the mock draft season. With a month of the NFL season in the books, mock drafts are beginning to take form. In the latest mock from Pro Football Focus, the San Francisco 49ers added some depth to their defensive back room.

With the No. 17 overall selection in PFF’s mock draft, Trevor Sikkema inked  Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison to the 49ers in his latest mock draft. According to Sikkema, Morrison is aggressive and has the traits to develop into a “starting outside corner in the league.”

Via Pro Football Focus:

With Charvarius Ward set to become a free agent after this season, the Niners may need to make a big move at outside corner. Morrison is still refining the anticipation aspects of his game, particularly in off-coverage, but he’s aggressive, has long arms and possesses excellent recovery speed to develop into a starting outside corner in the league.

Following the end of the 2024-25 season, both Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenior are set for free agency, opening a potential need at cornerback for the 49ers. The draft could be a way the 49ers address that opening.

In five games, the Notre Dame defensive captain has recorded 17 total tackles for Marcus Freeman’s Irish. The six-foot corner has also notched four pass deflections.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Vikings get secondary help in latest 2025 Mock Draft from PFF

The Minnesota Vikings secondary remains a question mark for the defense heading into 2024, despite the signing of Stephone Gilmore.

The Minnesota Vikings secondary remains a question mark for the defense heading into 2024. Despite the signing of Stephone Gilmore, there is a lot to be desired with the cornerbacks. They have pieces but lack someone who can be the leader of the group for years to come.

One way the Vikings can solve it is by taking advantage of what is projected to be a high draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

One of the solutions was mocked to the Vikings by Connor Rogers on PFF’s NFL Stock Exchange podcast. They had their first mock draft of the season and projected cornerback Benjamin Morrison from Notre Dame to be their selection.

Players like Mason Graham, Will Johnson, and Travis Hunter who all play at positions of need were unavailable. Worth mentioning though, Graham was taken one spot before their mock by the Cardinals.

Pro Football Focus projects the Vikings to finish with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Previewing Notre Dame’s defense ahead of Week 1 vs. Texas A&M

Here’s what to expect from Notre Dame’s defense on Saturday night

Notre Dame’s identity this season starts and ends on defense. The Fighting Irish return three of the top defenders in the country, led by senior defensive lineman Howard Cross III.

In the secondary, junior defensive back Benjamin Morrison looks like one of the top cornerbacks in the country. At the same time, senior safety Xavier Watts led the team with seven interceptions last season and looks to become a versatile defender in the box this season.

Cross, who recorded 66 tackles and two sacks last season, will pair up with senior DL Rylie Mills. Mills readily utilizes his 6-5 frame and recorded 47 tackles and 2.5 sacks a year ago.

As a team, Notre Dame recorded 31 sacks and 75 tackles for loss while ranking 5th in total defense after allowing just 276 yards per contest. Many of us believe Saturday’s season opener vs. Texas A&M will be a low-scoring contest won in the trenches.

If A&M’s run game fails to find consistency, this will force starting quarterback Conner Weigman to drop back and deliver strikes in tight windows, as he will likely target sophomore corner Christian Gray. At the same time, Morrison will likely cover junior Aggie WR Noah Thomas throughout the night.

This could be the toughest defense Mike Elko’s team will face throughout the season, so the main goal continues to be squeaking out a tough win with limited turnovers.

No. 20 Texas A&M will host No. 7 Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will air on ABC.

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Key Irish players land on big board of draft prospects

Will this be how it plays out?

Nate Tice from Yahoo! Sports has put together his first edition of his top-40 NFL Draft prospects and two Notre Dame players are on the list, with a third garnering honorable mention.

Cornerback [autotag]Benjamin Morrison[/autotag] is first at No. 13. Tice likes his ability to press receivers and lock them down in man coverage, and he also praises his technique and speed, along with his balance and footwork.

Morrison’s only negative, according to Tice, is size.

Quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] slots in at No. 23. Tice says it’s a stretch but that Leonard’s “size, traits and natural accuracy” combined with a thin QB class made the reach feel short. Tice also suggests that Leonard will shine in South Bend behind a much better offensive line and with more reps.

Tice says Leonard has shown flashes, and now he’ll have the chance to really grow with the Irish.

Tight end [autotag]Mitchell Evans[/autotag] was given honorable mention, though it’s not clear where he’d fit, since Tice listed the first five off in alphabetical order.

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Two Notre Dame football stars sign NIL deal with Rhoback athletic clothing

A pretty cool deal for the Irish stars

Athletic clothing company [autotag]Rhoback[/autotag] is certainly familiar with Notre Dame athletes, as they signed running back [autotag]Audric Estime[/autotag] to a Name, Image, and Likeness deal last year.

They went back to South Bend this fall again was announced on Thursday and Friday that quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] and cornerback [autotag]Benjamin Morrison[/autotag] had inked deals with Rhoback as part of it’s “EARN IT” campaign.

The two will certainly be wearing some the their clothing, which range from polos, shorts, shirts for both men and women. Like any NIL deal, you always wonder how the company will handle the athletes, so we should see both of them as part of this marketing venture.

There have been plenty of unique NIL deals across the country, but this one is pretty mainstream.

Congrats to Riley and Ben for getting together with Rhoback.

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