2025 NFL Draft: Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison Hears Name Called in Second Round

Morrison very well may have been a first-round pick if he didn't see his season cut short in the sixth game of the year against Stanford due to a season-ending hip injury, but still, head coach Todd Bowles and the Bucs liked what they say from the preseason All-American and snagged him in the second round.

And it's not like he wasn't productive in those six games. Morrison made 20 tackles and broke up four passes.

And as a sophomore in 2023, Morrison caught everyone's attention as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe award, given to the nation's best defensive back. He led the Fighting Irish with 10 pass breakups, was second on the team with three picks and recorded 31 tackles, including 3.5 for loss in 12 games.

Abd now he's on Tampa Bay.

Assuming Morrison is healthy for training camp, he'll get a legitimate shot to compete for significant playing time for a team that needs the secondary help.

It's a great fit for Morrison - even if he slid further than he'd like.

Bowles is a defensive coach who's had success with a lot of young defensive backs like Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jamel Dean. That, and Morrison's dad -- Darryl Morrison -- played with Bowles at Washington.

Morrison might have had to wait longer than expected to hear his name, but in this case, it's worth it.