Newsstand: The Athletic NFL Draft analyst ranks one Notre Dame player in first 2025 Big Board
On Wednesday, The Athletic’s NFL Draft analyst, Dane Brugler, revealed his first 2025 NFL Draft Big Board. Notre Dame football cornerback Benjamin Morrison was the only Fighting Irish player to make his top 50.
“He might not be elite by NFL standards when it comes to speed and size, but he is an athletic technician with a developed feel for route concepts and how to defend passing windows,” Brugler said. “Morrison’s next-level projection is easy: He is a future NFL starter on the outside.”
Ahead of Morrison, Brugler ranked Michigan cornerback Will Johnson as the top player in the draft and Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter Jr. at No. 3. Morrison, Johnson and Hunter are widely regarded as the top cornerbacks in next year’s NFL Draft.
In 2022, Morrison showcased his potential as an NFL prospect and immediately made his mark on the Notre Dame football program. He had five interceptions as a rookie and earned a spot on seven freshman All-America teams.
He followed up his first-year campaign with a solid 2023 season, notching 8 pass breakups and 3 interceptions in 12 games. According to ESPN, Morrison allowed a 35% defensive completion rate, which was 24th-best among all FBS defensive backs.
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Morrison missed most of spring practice with a shoulder injury. However, he is expected to play without any restrictions against Texas A&M on Aug. 31.
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