Every year, the NFL Combine provides an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their skills to NFL scouts.
The Combine is most likely the only opportunity some prospects will have to show what they can do at the next level.
This year’s Combine is no exception with news constantly updated about relatively unknown players making a name for themselves.
One such name is Florida International University quarterback James Morgan.
Who is this year’s Gardner Minshew? One that evaluators point to as a possibility is FIU QB James Morgan. pic.twitter.com/mKL5izKEvA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 29, 2020
Good Combine Week
It is reported that Morgan had a “good Combine week” by numerous scouts.
He is rumored to have NFL interest from the Colts, Bears, Packers, Bucs, Jets, and Panthers.
Colts among teams ‘appearing to show most interest’ in FIU QB James Morgan https://t.co/mTLyl8Ckqt
— Indiana Sports Coverage (@IndyCoverage) March 1, 2020
Although Morgan is most likely a Day 3 selection in the April draft, he could add camp competition.
Most of the teams mentioned are unstable at the quarterback position.
Even Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers is beginning to show wear and tear after 15 years in the league.
It is no secret that Indy is not quite sold on Jacoby Brissett.
Bringing in another arm could light a fire under Brissett, or provide a capable back-up should the need arise.
Colts General Manager Chris Ballard has recently said that the team will “create competition at any spot.”
He also mentioned that the team looked at quarterbacks even when they had Andrew Luck.
“To say we’re going to create competition, we’re going to create competition at any spot,” Ballard said. “That’s going to be a year-to-year thing. Even when Andrew (Luck) was our quarterback, we still studied the quarterback position. I just think it’s important enough that it’s a unique position, we know how hard they are to find and you’ve gotta go in-depth each and every year for that spot.”
Morgan at FIU
Morgan began his collegiate career at Bowling Green University.
After red-shirting in 2015, he started 13 games for the Falcons during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Morgan then transferred to FIU where his game really took off.
In his first season with the Panthers, Morgan led the team to a school-record nine wins.
He also threw for a school-record 26 touchdowns and finished second in program history with 2,727 yards passing.
In 2019, Morgan threw for over 2,500 yards and 14 scores.
His combined 40 touchdown passes rank second in FIU history.
NFL scouts are impressed by his willingness to take a hit while standing tall in the pocket.
They mention that he has a good feel for the game and can make good throws.
However, they see work to be done at the next level, especially with decision making speed.
Morgan also made an impression on scouts with his performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.
After having a good week of practice, Morgan started the game for the East squad.
He promptly led his team to two scores in the first two drives of the game.
The East went on to win the game 31-27.
“It’s a testament to all the athletes we had on the team,” Morgan said after the game. “We had guys making incredible plays and just kind of putting it in their general area and they’ll come down with it. The blocking was phenomenal. The running was phenomenal and it ended up being the whole day and I’m happy to come out with a win.”
Morgan has made enough of an impression that he will most likely make the roster of some NFL team.
Look for the Colts to possibly use one of their two sixth-round picks on Morgan in April.
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