Benjamin Morrison selected in 2nd round of nfl draft by bucs

Benjamin Morrison was selected in the second round with the 53rd overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday. The first Notre Dame player selected in the 2025 Draft, Morrison becomes the highest Irish defensive back selected in the NFL Draft since Kyle Hamilton (2022). Morrison was surrounded by Fighting Irish teammates Karson Hobbs, Christian Gray, and Adon Shuler as he received the phone call from the Buccaneers.

A 2024 team captain, Morrison led the Irish with six interceptions in 2022, earning consensus Freshman All-America honors. Morrison added three more interceptions to his career total in the 2023 season and owns the second-most for a Notre Dame player since 1996, behind teammate Xavier Watts. 

Before his senior season was abruptly ended due to injury, Morrison amassed four pass breakups and 20 tackles in just six games. He continued to serve as a leader on defense for the Irish as they made their run to the CFP National Title game, as Notre Dame’s defense finished the season first in pass efficiency defense (104.4), first in turnovers gained (33), first in defensive touchdowns (6), first in blocked kicks (6), second in fumbles recovered (14), second in blocked punts (3), fourth in passing yards allowed (169.4), fourth in scoring defense (15.5), fifth in passes intercepted (19) and 11th in total defense (307.4).

Morrison was not an on-field participant at the NFL Combine, but held a private workout attended by 29 NFL teams at Brophy Prep (AZ), where he starred in high school. He had more than enough college film to warrant a first-round grade, but the inability to workout at the combine and some injury concerns more than likely led to a slight drop in the draft.