Michigan DL Mike Morris: Seattle Seahawks are 'getting a monster'

Michigan Wolverines football EDGE Mike Morris saw his stock slide throughout the pre-draft process, with underwhelming performances at both the NFL Combine and pro day, but injuries played a factor. He heard his name called No. 151 overall (fifth round) to the Seattle Seahawks Saturday afternoon and he’s excited for the opportunity.

“It was amazing,” Morris said of being drafted. “It was so amazing. I’m just thankful to the most high God for blessing me with this opportunity. They’re not wasting this pick on anybody. I’m going to give everything I have, all I got and they’re getting a monster.”

Morris was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year but suffered a high-ankle sprain against Nebraska in November, missed time and was limited the rest of the way.

“I didn’t really get to showcase who I really was in the back half of the [2022] season, so I feel like I have a big chip on my shoulder,” Morris said. “I’m ready to unleash everything that I have in a Seahawks uniform. I’m just so excited to be a Seahawk, and I’m ready to get after it and be great.

“I had a high-ankle sprain at the end of the season, didn’t get to finish my season strong, went to the combine injured. Now, I’m back healthy, we’re feeling great and I’m getting ready to be a great Seahawk.”

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Morris, who registered 7.5 sacks at Michigan in 2022, weighed in at 275 pounds at the NFL Combine in late February but is already up to 295 pounds. Teams expressed that they want him as a defensive tackle, and his agent advised him to gain weight. It was no problem for the Michigan edge rusher who played last season at 292 pounds.

“I’ve done it before,” Morris stated.

Morris is willing to play any position that’s asked of him.

“Wherever they put me at,” the Michigan lineman said of where he fits best. “I think right now I’m going to be a D-lineman — probably 3-tech, 4i, anything they want me to play, I’m looking forward to it. I’m not really too concerned about where I’m going to play; all I care about is when I put on the uniform and they coach me up, I’m going to be ready for it.”

Morris added that he played “everything” on the defensive line as a Wolverine.

Morris is looking to prove doubters wrong as a Seahawk.

“I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder growing up, because in high school I battled a lot of surgeries,” Morris explained. “Everyone was trying to say I’m injury-prone and this and that. Then I got to college, went to the University of Michigan, an undervalued team that had potential but nobody really saw it. And then we did what we did, and now I’m going to the NFL.

“People have concerns about all types of injuries, my high ankle, am I going to be a good football player. So I’m looking to prove everybody wrong, prove to everybody that I’m the guy that I think I am and the guy God sees me as. I’m looking forward to just tearing everybody up.”

Mike Morris teaming up with Olu Oluwatimi

Three picks later in the fifth round, Seattle drafted former Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi, the 2022 Rimington and Outland trophy award winner. Morris is elated to team back up with Oluwatimi.

“Olu Oluwatimi, oh my gosh! I was so happy,” Morris said. “I totally disregarded everything that was going on with me and I was strictly on Olu. I was like, ‘Bro, we’re lit, we’re lit.’ We got [running back] Zach [Charbonnet in the second round], too, who was a former Michigan man but he’s still a Michigan man in my eyes. We got Zach, too, he’s a dawg. Man, I’m looking to get after it with my guys and make a run.”

Continued Morris: “I thought Olu was going to go higher than he was. … He’s another guy with a chip on his shoulder. Olu’s one of the best offensive linemen that I’ve ever gone against at the college level. He’s going to be an amazing guy in the NFL. He may not pass some peoples’ eye test, but it don’t matter when you on the field. He’s going to handle his business.”