Morris looks for NFL opportunity

IOWA CITY - James Morris' on-field accolades at Iowa will earn him an NFL opportunity this weekend. But more than his statistics, it's his intangibles that will entice an NFL team to offer the former Iowa linebacker a chance of a lifetime.

'All it takes is one team to like him,” said Dan Shonka, general manager and national scout for Ourlads Scouting Services. 'You talk to him and you see how smart he is, a lot of teams are really impressed with his intelligence and his instincts on the field.”

Morris is one of several Iowa players vying for a chance at the NFL, which has its draft today through Saturday. Most analysts consider Morris, a former star at Solon and a second-team all-Big Ten linebacker last year, a mid-round pick. Shonka lists Morris as a fifth- or sixth-round selection.

No one questions Morris' toughness, leadership or his technique. He stands 6 feet and weighs 241 pounds so his body type is comparable to most inside linebackers. But what also stands out for Morris is his intellect. He was named a first-team academic All-American the College Sports Information Directors of America and a National Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation. He carries a 3.84 grade-point-average and will graduate next week.

When you add up 400 career tackles, eight sacks last year, his academic prowess and his leadership, that's a solid foundation for any organization.

'I feel like I'm a really good football player,” Morris said. 'So I think I'll be able to contribute on the field in a variety of ways, whether that's special teams or the starting lineup or whatever kind of package there is. Off the field I'm somebody you don't have to worry about getting in trouble. I feel like I have pretty high character.”

Morris started 42 games at Iowa, mostly at middle linebacker. He may adjust roles depending on what team drafts him along with its scheme.

'Ideally a 3-4 team would like him on the inside,” Shonka said. 'I don't know if he's got enough mass to be the middle linebacker in a 4-3 in the NFL. But certainly if he plays in those shade-under fronts, and he plays in the 3-4 where he'd be covered up, he'll be waiting at the path for people. He's real instinctive and smart and he'll play on all special teams. Coaches want a guy who can learn quickly and he certainly can do that.

'He's going to make a team, I'm convinced of that.”

Morris is one of several Iowa players hoping to land on an NFL roster this weekend. Fellow linebackers Christian Kirksey and Anthony Hitchens are considered draftable prospects, and tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz likely will be Iowa's first draft pick this year. Linemen Brett Van Sloten and Conor Boffeli, along with cornerback B.J. Lowery also will end up in NFL camps either as draft picks or free agents.

Fiedorowicz (6-5 1/2, 265) should join former Iowa tight ends Scott Chandler, Tony Moeaki, Brandon Myers, Allen Reisner and possibly Dallas Clark on NFL rosters this year. Fiedorowicz caught a pass in 31 consecutive games and hauled in 10 touchdowns over that span. He was named first-team all-Big Ten last year and competed in the Senior Bowl.

'They're a precious commodity in the eyes of the NFL,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said about tight ends. 'C.J. obviously has great size and great ability and he's really worked hard and made himself. He was not a blocking tight end when he got to Iowa, but he was a willing learner and really developed.

'The guys at the top of the board aren't necessarily blocking-type guys, and there's still some value to that in the NFL. I think that plays to his favor a little bit. On top of it, he's made some really big plays in the passing game, too. That's really attractive.”

'He's a good-sized target, and he does a lot of things really well,” Shonka said. 'I think what really helped him was the Senior Bowl. He worked on his blocking there and showed good in blocking drills. He did a nice job of covering kicks. I think that impressed people too. I think a combination of everything really helped him out.”

Kirksey competed with Fiedorowicz at the Senior Bowl is listed as a third or fourth-round pick. His versatility adds to his value, Shonka said.

'Kirksey happens to fit the bill for what a lot of teams are looking for because he plays special teams, he'll play in coverage,” Shonka said. 'It's really hard to find linebackers who will cover anybody. He sticks right with the offensive player he's covering. He reacts well to the ball, he's got good feet and he's a guy that teams want, that type of player. All the arrows are pointing up for him.”

Hitchens, Van Sloten and Boffeli are considered late-round prospects but have characteristics that should put them on a roster by sometime Saturday.

'(Hitchens will) have a good shot to make a team,” Shonka said. 'He led Iowa in tackles for three straight years so he shows good productivity. He hustles around and shows a good aggressiveness.”

'I've got to think (Van Sloten and Boffeli) will be in a camp,” Ferentz said. 'Brett is just a tough, hard-nosed, smart player and very, very productive. Conor played very well, but he's got great position flexibility. He could play center as well as guard. I think that's going to help him.”

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