2014 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Stephen Morris, QB, Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Apr 13, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Stephen Morris (17) throws a pass during a spring game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 215 pounds

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Scouting Report/Player Notes

Watching Stephen Morris vs. North Carolina State in 2012, he looks like a first round pick. This is a guy with decent size at 6’2″ 215 pounds who can make some incredibly difficult throws, and places the ball in spots where you couldn’t hand it to a receiver more perfectly. The biggest issue with Morris is, he needs to be more consistent. You have to factor in dropped passes, but he completed just over 58 percent of his passes last year as a junior, and will have to improve his decision making in 2013 as a senior. Against North Carolina State, Morris made a defensive backfield that featured a couple of 2013 NFL Draft picks look silly to the tune of 566 yards and five touchdowns. Morris gives you a dual-threat from the QB position, though he’s not as prolific of a runner as you might expect. He doesn’t use his athletic ability to scramble so much as he does to move around and make plays. He is always looking to make a pass downfield. Even though he doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions, he believes in the strength of his arm, and will try to fit the ball into spots that maybe he shouldn’t. Last year, he absolutely disappeared in the month of October, throwing just one touchdown pass with three interceptions. Rebounded really nicely though, finishing the season with three wins in four games, losing to Virginia by one point in a 41-40 shootout.

I think Morris has big potential to breakout in 2013. He had his “coming out” party in 2012 when he was named the MVP of Miami’s offense, but I think he can really take the country by storm in 2013 with some growth from Miami’s skill position players.

Does a great job of stepping into throws and has really good timing. Really good pocket awareness and ability to escape the pressure. Only took 17 sacks in 421 dropbacks last year, which compared to some of the other QBs in this class is a really low number. With one year of starting under his belt, it will be interesting to see what kind of newfound confidence he has in his game now that he is entrenched as the top QB for Miami.

Career Highlights (via Miami athletics site)

2012 CAPTAIN’S AWARD
2012 OFFENSIVE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

2012 (Junior): Started all 12 games under center … Showed no adverse signs from offseason back surgery, throwing for career-best 3,345 yards and 21 touchdowns, while completing 58.2 percent of passes (245-of-421) … 3,345 yards are fifth-most in single season in UM history … 245 completions are second-most in UM history, while 421 attempts set single-season school mark … Set UM single-season total offense mark with 3,415 yards, eclipsing previous mark by three set by Bernie Kosar (3,412) in 1984 … Second QB in Miami history to amass three 400-yard passing games in career and first to throw for multiple 400-yard games in season … Threw for 207 yards and TD on 28-of-45 in season-opening road win at Boston College … Tossed then-career-high 436 yards and 2 TD on 31-of-52 passing in OT road win at Georgia Tech … Followed with another electrifying performance, throwing for Miami- and ACC-record 566 yards and UM record-tying 5 TDs in Canes’ last-second victory over NC State … Threw game-winning 62-yard TD pass to Phillip Dorsett with 19 seconds remaining to upend Wolfpack … Named ACC Offensive Back of the Week for Oct. 1 … Threw 2 TD passes and 170 yards in Thursday win over Virginia Tech … Tossed 3 TDs in heartbreaking road loss at Virginia … Posted third 400-yard game of season with 413 yards and 3 TDs in home rout of USF … Threw for 369 yards and 3 scores in ACC Coastal Division-clinching win at Duke … Over final four games of season, completed 60 percent of passes (66-of-110) for 1,131 yards and 11 TDs … Recipient of Captain’s Award and Offensive Most Valuable Player honors at team’s end-of-season banquet … Earned letter.

2011 (Sophomore): Saw action in five games, with one start … Finished season 26-for-37 with 283 yards and two interceptions … Threw for season-high 195 yards in start against Maryland … Threw for 34 yards against Bethune-Cookman … Passed for 36 yards against Virginia … Did not participate in spring drills after undergoing off-season back surgery … Earned letter.

2010 (True Freshman): Played in six games, starting four … Started final four regular-season games … Threw for 1,240 yards on 82-of-153 passing … Had team-high 125.01 quarterback efficiency rating … 206.7 yards per game average was highest on team … Named ACC Rookie of the Week after orchestrating comeback win over Maryland … Threw for team season-high 286 yards against Terrapins, completing touchdown pass with 37 seconds remaining to seal Miami victory … Threw for 162 yards in second half against Virginia and was responsible for team’s three touchdowns in second stanza and almost leading dramatic comeback … Earned letter.

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Video Highlights (via YouTube)