Senior Bowl Spotlight – Stephen Morris, QB Miami – 2014 NFL Draft
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Stephen Morris, QB University of Miami

Height: 6’2″
Weight: 218 Pounds
Projected 40-Time: 4.65 (estimate)
NFL Comparison: Aaron Brooks, Jeff Blake, Geno Smith

Player Notes:

Stephen Morris is a four-year senior, who started every game his junior and senior year, a period spanning 25-straight contests. Over this large sample, Morris is a 58% passer, which is a tricky endeavor for NFL Teams considering drafting him. Surprisingly though, based on some of his game film, Morris has a much better career TD/INT ration than you might suspect (42/19 over last 2 seasons).

In 2013, he earned the following honors: ALLSTATE AFCA Good Works Team, ALL-ACC Third Team, Community Service Man of the Year, Captains Award, Plumer Award for Leadership Motivation and Spirit.

Scouting Notes:

To view more of the game film below, visit our good friends at Draft Breakdown:

Virginia Tech 2012

Looks great to start – very live arm – better than Carr or Fales – inaccurate low on one short pass to RB – otherwise prudent in decisions find open WR then throws WR open with back shoulder front of pylon TD – shows some wild inaccuracy as game progresses – may be due to heavy pressure by VTech — makes big play on rollout to TE — first impression his physical skills will stand out in Mobile.

Florida State 2012

Some escapability – overall seems like questionable accuracy and decision making – can stick some intermediate throws – great throw to one of his favs #80 vs Xavier Rhodes -called incomplete still sick — ends at 10:54 with great TD to #80

Florida State 2013

1:00 – good route by WR nice throw too, though. Love the throw down the middle at 1:20 – has big arm but really lets this one hang for an INT at 4:00 when it could have been a big play – sick play by the LB but still a bad INT at 5:30 – throw at 7:00 shows the pop to his arm –

Virginia Tech 2013

Sick throw at 3:25 – going to entice with physical skills seems to make just enough bad throws to hurt you though – coaches will think thats what they can clean up can’t teach the physical ability – tons of our assessment will depend on his intelligence and character — has an EJ Manual-ish opportunity to stand out with physical skills in Mobile – question is can he display the same kind of intangibles – thinking a lot of Josh Freeman to his game here – 7:00 Dan Fouts with critique on planting back foot – 7:20 mark another throw that will make NFL types drool — also throws too often off back foot – 8:50 mark doesn’t set feet and deliver to sideline w/accuracy would have been tough but could have made it with his arm strength – some escapabilty from pocket

University of Florida 2013

2:10 is a horrible throw – not an orchestrator of offense – horrible decision on throw at 4:30 – lucky not intercepted – 4:50 same exact thing – 5:40 another risky throw — 7:50 awful INT – this game is abysmal for Morris –

Pre-Senior Bowl Draft Projection:
Like Al Davis of the past, some personnel evaluator will fall in love with Morris’ physical tools. He has a ton to gain in Mobile with a strong week. Generally speaking, if his character and intelligence check out, we believe his stock will rise throughout the draft process. Currently, we put a 3rd round draft grade on Stephen Morris.