Scouting Report: ILB Antonio Morrison, Can He Hold Up in 2015 for the Gators?
Sometimes a college football player’s career can be filled with the highest of highs.
More from Hail Florida Hail
- Florida football: Billy Napier disappointed in how Gators’ handling success
- Florida football: Gators’ defense ranks No. 2 in the country in vital stat
- Florida Football: Former target Cormani McClain struggling at Colorado
- Florida Football: The curious case of Kamari Wilson
- Florida Football: Gators know consistency is the next big step
Other times the game can be cruel and unfair to the even the most talented athletes.
For University of Florida ILB Antonio Morrison, he’s been finding that out the hard way.
The senior linebacker has a world of talent and has consistently produced on the field for the Gators, where he’s started 23 games, had 191 tackles including six tackles for loss last year.
NFL scouts have said that based on Morrison’s talents alone, he could’ve left after his junior year and been a high NFL Draft pick.
Related: The top-5 linebackers in Florida Gator history
There has been a downside to Morrison’s career at UF, however.
The former 4-star recruit from Bolingbrook, IL has been racked by serious knee injuries, including a torn meniscus in 2013 and another season-ending knee injury late in 2014.
Health concerns should be on the minds of NFL teams as Morrison completes his final year at Florida.
In terms of the overall success of the Gators defense, Morrison has to be the tackling machine he was last year. We don’t know just how healthy Morrison will be by Opening Day but by all accounts, he should be fit to start since he was held out of spring practice by Jim McElwain.
Sep 6, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Antonio Morrison (3) during the second half against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles 65-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
On a personal level, Morrison has to prove to himself and to NFL scouts that he can hold up throughout the course of a long season.
Expect to see Morrison drafted somewhere in the third round or later of the 2016 NFL Draft if he is able to put his injury woes behind him.
Antonio Morrison projects to be a 3-4 linebacker in the NFL.
2016 NFL Draft Prediction: 3-4 Round
Strengths
- Has a quick burst and acceleration to his game. One of the better runners at the ILB position that you’ll see in college football
- Can be a menace when coming off the edge on a blitz. His closing speed is fantastic.
- Morrison is a very smart player. Consistently chooses the correct pursuit angles to the ball carrier and rarely gets fooled.
- Solid run tackler. Has racked up a lot of tackles at Florida due to not just his quickness but also because of his strength and form when bringing down running backs.
- Is a leader on the field. Morrison goes full throttle on every single snap with the intent on making a play. Racked up a lot of tackles at UF because of that mentality.
Weaknesses
- Injury and health concerns are huge. He tore his meniscus late in 2013 and then suffered a serious knee injury in 2014 at the Birmingham Bowl game. NFL teams should be wary of drafting Morrison early.
- Undersized at the ILB position which probably contributes to his durability. Has to get bigger and stronger as Morrison is an ILB linebacker in a safety’s body.
- Morrison had a couple of issues with law enforcement early in his career at Florida, including a battery charge. Are those now behind Morrison?
What do you think? Will Antonio Morrison stay healthy in 2015 and make an impact for the Gators? We want to hear from you!