Undrafted, James Morris Signs With New England Patriots

Moving quickly following the conclusion to the 2014 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots plucked James Morris from the ranks of the undrafted and signed him as a free agent.

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Morris, who was projected to be a late seventh round projection, was not selected in the  draft. He was the lone former Hawkeye undrafted from the four players with realistic chances of being selected. Brett Van Sloten and Casey Kreiter are also undrafted free agents who have reportedly found homes.

The middle linebacker, Morris is a tad undersized for his position. Listed at 6’1, 240, he presents a high football IQ that Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick seeks from his entire roster. Belichick’s ties to the Ferentz family have been well documented, with Kirk being one of his assistants in Cleveland and Brian Ferentz serving on the Patriots coaching staff from 2008-2011.

Besides being a team captain last season, Morris is the sixth Hawkeye in school history to amass more than 400 tackles. He comes to a Patriots organization that relies on instinctive linebackers to make plays all over the field.

The road in the NFL is that much more difficult as a late round selection or as an undrafted free agent. Yet, if James Morris is going to make an impact on Sundays, there are few places for him to land that are better than in Bill Belichick’s defense.

Unfortunately for Morris, there will be no reunion with his fellow rookie class this season. The Texans, Browns and Cowboys are not on the Patriots’ schedule.