2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Jimmy Morrissey, OC, University of Pittsburgh
Every NFL team wants to secure a franchise quarterback, and that is a very smart idea, but if you want to win in the NFL you need a high caliber offensive line. The NFL is won in the trenches, and when you look around the league, you have teams that are drafting quarterbacks like Tua, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, but if you do not protect them they can only do so much. Well next year, there is a center by the name of Jimmy Morrissey that should be the first center taken in the NFL Draft.
The University of Pittsburgh has a mauling offensive lineman in Jimmy Morrissey. I speak to NFL scouts daily about players in the draft that they love, and then watch film on them. I have watched tons and tons of small school film, but this year I am trying something different. I am watching tons of film on Division 1 players as well. Well when I was breaking down film of the Panthers offense, Morrissey is a dog!
The 6030, 305 offensive lineman is easily the best center in the ACC. The craziest thing about his entire story is his perseverance. He was a walk-on at Pitt.
In 2016, he redshirted after walking on to Pitt. In 2017, he won the starting role for the Panthers and would start every game for them. At the beginning of the year, because of his hard work and determination, the University award Morrissey with a scholarhsip.
In 2018, Jimmy was selected as a third team All-Conference player becoming the first Pitt player at the center position to earn the Award. He suffered a season ending injury in 18′ that broke his consecutive start streak at 23.
Last year, Morrissey returned to form. Like I said before he established himself as the top center in the ACC. He did not surrender a sack the entire season and was a first team All-ACC selection. He has started 36 career games now for the Panthers and heads into his senior year as my top rated center.
NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Notes:
I cannot believe this kid was a walk-on. I know one thing, Pittsburgh was lucky to let this kid walk-on. He should have been a scholarship player for about 40 schools. I love offensive lineman with a mean streak. Guys like Maurkice Pouncey, or Richie Incognito are players I view as mauling offensive lineman. Jimmy Morrissey falls in that category, and I would not be shocked if a team who drafted a quarterback this year, takes Morrisseey early in the 2021 NFL Draft to help with their rookie QB. – Damond Talbot, Owner, NFL Draft Diamonds
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com