Wanya

Morris

Morris currently sits behind second-round rookie LT Kingsley Suamataia on the Chiefs’ depth chart. Though he ideally would play limited snaps, assuming a strong Week 1 debut for Suamataia, potentially losing depth at the offensive line’s most important position is an issue. Hopefully, the broadcast offers clarity as to the injury’s severity.

Teammate Jason Godrick was also arrested with Morris, as the two were reportedly booked at the Johnson County Adult Detention Center around 2 A.M. Friday morning. Both players have since posted bond and were released, with their court appearances scheduled for May 23. It continues to be a rough offseason for the defending Super Bowl champions, who are dealing with the legal issues Rashee Rice has found himself in, and controversial comments recently made by kicker Harrison Butker. Morris is expected to compete with rookie Kingsley Suamataia for the starting left tackle job this offseason. Both players could be subject to discipline from the NFL depending on how the rest of this shakes out.

Morris was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of last year’s draft but played sparingly behind veteran Donovan Smith. He did manage to start four games on the year, allowing two sacks on 20 pressures in those starts, but won’t be handed the job heading into Week 1. Suamataia, who was drafted in the second round of this year’s draft, is expected to compete with Morris for the starting gig and has experience at both left and right tackle in college. It’s possible this gets settled before the end of training camp to ensure the eventual starter sees plenty of snaps with the first-team before the season kicks off against the Ravens.

Morris (6’5/307) was a five-star recruit playing his first two seasons at Tennessee, where he held down the starting left tackle spot and bumped Darnell Wright to the right side. He then transferred to OU before his junior year, where he played sparingly in 2021 before starting eight out of the nine games he appeared in last season. Morris excelled when he finally got the opportunity, allowing only two sacks, two QB hits, and two hurries. Morris’ 5.11 40-yard dash was an 83rd percentile mark while his 9’03” broad jump hit the 90th percentile threshold. He recorded a commendable 8.31 RAS to go with freakish 35.125” arms. Morris shares many strengths and weaknesses with recent Sooners counterpart, Anton Harrison. Morris has more projectable physical traits than Harrison but is somewhat less refined. He has good strength that shows in the run game and against power rushers in pass sets. Morris’ body leverage is often sufficient, if not a clear winner, on run plays. Against speedier rushers he struggles a bit to take away angles, opting to lunge and put his head down at times instead. Though a bit stiff, he still manages to do just enough to buy his QB time when needed. Morris’ range of outcomes is wide.

Morris (6'5, 312) was largely projected to be the Sooners’ starting left tackle heading into the season, but the depth chart told a different story when it was released. Morris was instead listed as playing on the right side this year -- at least for the opener. He’s listed as an “OR” along with redshirt senior Tyrese Robinson at the position. There’s an “OR” at LT as well between redshirt senior Erik Swenson and sophomore Anton Harrison.

He announced the move earlier this week. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder is a five-star recruit from the 2019 cycle who joins an exodus of Vols currently flooding out of Knoxville. Morris, a top-10 overall prospect in his class, per ESPN, was a freshman All-American in 2019. COVID issues hampered his sophomore campaign. But Oklahoma has landed a player that will start immediately. Morris can handle either tackle position, and he’s also shown to possess the versatility to kick inside. Oklahoma needed him after losing second-team All-Big 12 tackle Adrian Ealy, a junior, to early NFL Draft declaration.

Morris is one of the most sought after OL in this transfer cycle, if not the top man. Morris was a five-star recruit back in 2019 and started for two seasons at Tennessee. At 6-foot-5 and 320-pounds, Morris is a definite shutdown LT at the college level and would be an instant upgrade at most schools in the FBS, including the three he has listed. A&M was one of many schools to offer Morris out of high school, so it’s possible that is where he leans, though nothing is clear at this point.

Morris (6'5/320) was considered by some to rank among the best offensive linemen in the SEC entering the 2020 season, but he didn’t meet those standards due in large part to a combination of injuries and time missed due to COVID-19 protocols. That being said, this is a big personnel loss for the Volunteers to incur. Morris started seven of the nine games that he appeared in last season, with five of those starts coming at left tackle. He will have up to three seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

Morris was injured on a play that did not officially count, as officials were late to blow the play dead. The sophomore left tackle is a key cog up front for the Volunteers, so he will be missed if unable to return. K’Rojhn Colbert has replaced Morris at left tackle as trainers continue to evaluate the injured starter.

Morris is one of the four-star -- or better -- players who committed from Grayson HS in Loganville, Georgia; and he picks the Volunteers over offers form in-state Georgia, LSU, Alabama and Auburn, to name a few. The 6-foot-5, 293-pound tackle ranks ninth overall in the ESPN top 300, and fifth among offensive tackles in the class. Reports indicate he’s got a quality frame and shows quality bad level, but needs to improve his lateral agility and hand placement. A very good get for the Vols in the 2019 class.