Michael Morgan of Southern California ~ 6.4/220
"A long, lean outside linebacker who possesses the frame more so of a defensive back. Displays some natural athleticism in his drop with the ability to keep his eyes in the backfield. When his legs are under him he exhibits an impressive burst toward the football. However, he gets leggy out of his breaks and can be slow to redirect and change directions.
Showcases impressive sideline-to-sideline range with the length to consistently track ball carriers on perimeter runs. However, lacks any kind of power at the point of attack. Is very easily sealed on the outside vs. the interior run and isn’t a guy who can sit into his stance and take on blocks at the point of attack. Now, he does display some lateral quickness to slip blocks in tight areas, but for the most part, just takes himself out of plays by trying to run around linemen.
Impression: A long, lean-looking athlete with some obvious closing range, but honestly I don’t know where he can be successful in the NFL. He lacks the power/girth to hold up vs. the run game inside the box and isn’t fluid enough to make the move to strong safety. Best bet looks to be as a nickel backer/special teams ace, but I have questions about him being successful there as well."
Showcases impressive sideline-to-sideline range with the length to consistently track ball carriers on perimeter runs. However, lacks any kind of power at the point of attack. Is very easily sealed on the outside vs. the interior run and isn’t a guy who can sit into his stance and take on blocks at the point of attack. Now, he does display some lateral quickness to slip blocks in tight areas, but for the most part, just takes himself out of plays by trying to run around linemen.
Impression: A long, lean-looking athlete with some obvious closing range, but honestly I don’t know where he can be successful in the NFL. He lacks the power/girth to hold up vs. the run game inside the box and isn’t fluid enough to make the move to strong safety. Best bet looks to be as a nickel backer/special teams ace, but I have questions about him being successful there as well."
"Bio: Three-year starter who finished with 57 tackles and three tackles for loss as a senior after recording 50 tackles and 13 tackles for loss prior year.
Positive: Athletic linebacker who's shown flashes of NFL ability the past two years. Displays good movement skills, fluid in every direction of the field and gets depth on pass drops. Covers a lot of area, is fast out to the flanks in pursuit, and explosive at the point. Tackles well and delivers hard hits.
Negative: Easily pushed from his angle of attack by a single blocker. Minimal force on the blitz. Late reacting and shows marginal instincts.
Analysis: Morgan is a solid athlete with good size and growth potential. He flashes ability as a weak side prospect but has never shown a complete game. Morgan could make a roster as a backup linebacker if he produces on special teams."
Positive: Athletic linebacker who's shown flashes of NFL ability the past two years. Displays good movement skills, fluid in every direction of the field and gets depth on pass drops. Covers a lot of area, is fast out to the flanks in pursuit, and explosive at the point. Tackles well and delivers hard hits.
Negative: Easily pushed from his angle of attack by a single blocker. Minimal force on the blitz. Late reacting and shows marginal instincts.
Analysis: Morgan is a solid athlete with good size and growth potential. He flashes ability as a weak side prospect but has never shown a complete game. Morgan could make a roster as a backup linebacker if he produces on special teams."
"Positives: Is a very quick defender, uses small frame to outmaneuver blockers and sneak through small gaps to get to the ball carrier... Fairly versatile coming off the end of the line, can speed rush off the edge, and takes good, flat angles to cut off ball carriers at the line of scrimmage... Excellent change-of-direction ability, breaks down well and can make quick cuts to mirror offensive players... Surprisingly good at shooting gaps in pass-rushing situations, is not limited to blitzing outside... Displays great speed, clocked in the 4.6 range, but appears much faster on the field... Could make an immediate impact as a special teams performer at the next level, displays quickness to block punts and speed to get down field in kick coverage... Durability has not really been an issue in the last two years, has played in every game for the in 2009 and 2010.
Negatives: Lack of production may raise some concerns, seems to be in on a lot of plays, but has not recorded more than 52 tackles in a season... Very small frame, has above-average height and well below-average bulk for the position... May only be a situational player in the NFL, simply lacks size to be an every-down player... Has not shown much ability in coverage, despite his athleticism, has been used primarily as a pass rusher and run stopper... Will have difficulty bringing down many NFL backs, does not make a lot of big hits and generally just wraps up and holds on when tackling."
Negatives: Lack of production may raise some concerns, seems to be in on a lot of plays, but has not recorded more than 52 tackles in a season... Very small frame, has above-average height and well below-average bulk for the position... May only be a situational player in the NFL, simply lacks size to be an every-down player... Has not shown much ability in coverage, despite his athleticism, has been used primarily as a pass rusher and run stopper... Will have difficulty bringing down many NFL backs, does not make a lot of big hits and generally just wraps up and holds on when tackling."
"Overview: 2010: Morgan played in all 13 games, starting in 10 of those contests at strongside linebacker. Finished sixth on the Trojans in tackles, with 57 total stops, inclduing 29 solo tackles. Broke up four passes forced a fumble, receovered a fumble, registered 3.0 tackles for loss, and half a sack on the season.
2009: Morgan started USC's first 9 games at strongside linebacker as a junior in 2009, then served as an often-used backup there (employed often in passing situations). He also played on special teams. Overall while appearing in all 13 games, he had 50 tackles, including a team-best 13 for a loss (with 4 sacks), and 1 deflection. He made the 2009 Phil Steele's All-Pac-10 third team.
He had 3 tackles (1 for a loss, with 0.5 sack) against San Jose State, then had 7 tackles (2 for losses) at Ohio State. Three of his 5 tackles at Washington were for losses. He had 2.5 sacks among his 5 tackles against Washington State. He had 5 tackles (1 for a loss) at California, then added 6 stops at Notre Dame, 5 tackles (including a sack) against Oregon State and 4 tackles (0.5 for a loss) at Oregon. He had 6 tackles (1 for a loss) at Arizona State, 3 tackles against Stanford and 1 tackle for a loss versus UCLA. He had a deflection against Boston College.
2008: Morgan served as a dependable backup strongside linebacker and key special teamer as a sophomore in 2008. Overall in 2008 while appearing in 12 games (he missed the Virginia opener while recuperating from a dislocated left shoulder suffered in 2008 fall camp), he made 22 tackles, including 5 for losses of 19 yards (with a 10-yard sack), plus he had a fumble recovery. He even started the Oregon game. He had 8 tackles (1 for a loss) against Oregon State, 5 versus Arizona State, 3 against Notre Dame (with a sack and fumble recovery) and 2 against Ohio State, Washington State and Penn State.
2007: Morgan was a backup linebacker and played on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2007. Overall in 2007 while appearing in 12 games (all but UCLA), he had 9 tackles. He had 2 tackles against Idaho, Nebraska and Arizona, then 1 against Notre Dame, California and Illinois. He sprained his left ankle at Arizona State and missed the UCLA game. He missed 2007 spring practice while resting a back sprain suffered in 2006.
2006: Morgan redshirted as a freshman linebacker in 2006, his first year at USC, while sidelined with a back sprain.
HIGH SCHOOL: He was named to the 2005 Parade All-American, Prep Star Dream Team, ESPN 150, Prep Star All-American, EA Sports All-American third team, Super Prep All-Southwest, Prep Star All-Midlands and All-State honorable mention squads as a senior linebacker at Skyline High in Dallas (Tex.). He had 203 tackles and 10 sacks in 2005.
As a junior in 2004, he recorded 98 tackles, 18 sacks and 7 forced fumbles.
He also sprinted for Skyline's track team.
PERSONAL: He has already received his bachelor's degree in public policy, management and planning at USC and is now working on a narrative studies degree. His brother, Steve, was a defensive tackle at UCLA from 1999 to 2002.
Strengths: Tall, athletic linebacker who has room to grow into his body. Good instincts with solid recognition skills. Good lateral mobility as he has good range outside the tackle box. Shows the ability to rush the passer as a fourth or fifth rusher.
Weaknesses: Does not attack the LOS and blockers often enough. Takes poor angles to the ball. Lacks the strength to anchor at the POA and to shed blocks consistently. Poor balance and use of his hands lead him to being on the ground too often as a result of a cut block. Lacks the awareness and flexibility to drop into coverage and be effective.
Projection: UDFA."
2009: Morgan started USC's first 9 games at strongside linebacker as a junior in 2009, then served as an often-used backup there (employed often in passing situations). He also played on special teams. Overall while appearing in all 13 games, he had 50 tackles, including a team-best 13 for a loss (with 4 sacks), and 1 deflection. He made the 2009 Phil Steele's All-Pac-10 third team.
He had 3 tackles (1 for a loss, with 0.5 sack) against San Jose State, then had 7 tackles (2 for losses) at Ohio State. Three of his 5 tackles at Washington were for losses. He had 2.5 sacks among his 5 tackles against Washington State. He had 5 tackles (1 for a loss) at California, then added 6 stops at Notre Dame, 5 tackles (including a sack) against Oregon State and 4 tackles (0.5 for a loss) at Oregon. He had 6 tackles (1 for a loss) at Arizona State, 3 tackles against Stanford and 1 tackle for a loss versus UCLA. He had a deflection against Boston College.
2008: Morgan served as a dependable backup strongside linebacker and key special teamer as a sophomore in 2008. Overall in 2008 while appearing in 12 games (he missed the Virginia opener while recuperating from a dislocated left shoulder suffered in 2008 fall camp), he made 22 tackles, including 5 for losses of 19 yards (with a 10-yard sack), plus he had a fumble recovery. He even started the Oregon game. He had 8 tackles (1 for a loss) against Oregon State, 5 versus Arizona State, 3 against Notre Dame (with a sack and fumble recovery) and 2 against Ohio State, Washington State and Penn State.
2007: Morgan was a backup linebacker and played on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2007. Overall in 2007 while appearing in 12 games (all but UCLA), he had 9 tackles. He had 2 tackles against Idaho, Nebraska and Arizona, then 1 against Notre Dame, California and Illinois. He sprained his left ankle at Arizona State and missed the UCLA game. He missed 2007 spring practice while resting a back sprain suffered in 2006.
2006: Morgan redshirted as a freshman linebacker in 2006, his first year at USC, while sidelined with a back sprain.
HIGH SCHOOL: He was named to the 2005 Parade All-American, Prep Star Dream Team, ESPN 150, Prep Star All-American, EA Sports All-American third team, Super Prep All-Southwest, Prep Star All-Midlands and All-State honorable mention squads as a senior linebacker at Skyline High in Dallas (Tex.). He had 203 tackles and 10 sacks in 2005.
As a junior in 2004, he recorded 98 tackles, 18 sacks and 7 forced fumbles.
He also sprinted for Skyline's track team.
PERSONAL: He has already received his bachelor's degree in public policy, management and planning at USC and is now working on a narrative studies degree. His brother, Steve, was a defensive tackle at UCLA from 1999 to 2002.
Strengths: Tall, athletic linebacker who has room to grow into his body. Good instincts with solid recognition skills. Good lateral mobility as he has good range outside the tackle box. Shows the ability to rush the passer as a fourth or fifth rusher.
Weaknesses: Does not attack the LOS and blockers often enough. Takes poor angles to the ball. Lacks the strength to anchor at the POA and to shed blocks consistently. Poor balance and use of his hands lead him to being on the ground too often as a result of a cut block. Lacks the awareness and flexibility to drop into coverage and be effective.
Projection: UDFA."
"Michael Morgan needed to have a better senior year to really get on the NFL radar. After playing as a reserve as an underclassman, Morgan had a big junior campaign. He finally cracked the starting lineup, starting USC's first nine games before being relegated to the bench. In 13 games he tallied a career high 50 tackles and a team high 13.0 tackles-for-loss. His ability to get into the backfield caught the eye of many, but Morgan's inability to hold onto his starting job was a concern.
Morgan had to battle it out to get his starting job back during his senior season. The Trojans were plagued by poor tackling during the 2010 campaign and Morgan was not immune to the problem. On the year he did improve his tackle total to 57, but he was much less effective getting into the backfield and only tallied 3.0 tackles-for-loss and 0.5 sacks.
At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Morgan has a nice combination of size and speed for an outside linebacker. However, his lack of collegiate production will keep his draft stock low unless he has some surprising workouts leading up to April. But even then Morgan is likely nothing more than a late round flyer who can fill in at an outside linebacker spot and play some special teams."
Morgan had to battle it out to get his starting job back during his senior season. The Trojans were plagued by poor tackling during the 2010 campaign and Morgan was not immune to the problem. On the year he did improve his tackle total to 57, but he was much less effective getting into the backfield and only tallied 3.0 tackles-for-loss and 0.5 sacks.
At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Morgan has a nice combination of size and speed for an outside linebacker. However, his lack of collegiate production will keep his draft stock low unless he has some surprising workouts leading up to April. But even then Morgan is likely nothing more than a late round flyer who can fill in at an outside linebacker spot and play some special teams."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Michael Morgan
Right now, Mike Morgan has the look of a Late Round Roster Depth guy...if he's lucky!!
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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