Overview
Position: Guard
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 309 pounds
School: Kutztown Golden Bears
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 5.36 seconds
Bench press: 21 reps
Vertical jump: 27.0 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 6 inch
Three-cone drill: 8.13 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.73 seconds
Making The Case For The Eagles to Draft Kutztown’s Jordan Morgan
Division II athletes are always the gems that NFL teams are looking to find in the later rounds of the NFL Draft. Every once in a while, GM’s will be rewarded with a 10-year starter from a scrappy, small-school athlete who fought against every odd thrown at them. The athlete we will be taking a look at today is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his name is Jordan Morgan.
Morgan played his college ball at Kutztown University, where he started at left tackle all four years after redshirting his the first year he was a Golden Bear. To say Morgan’s career was decorated is an understatement, but here are a few of his accomplishments to name a few:
2016 Gene Upshaw Award
2x AP Little All-America First Team (2015, 2016)
2x D2Football.com All-America First Team (2015, 2016)
2x AFCA All-America Team First Team (2015, 2016)
2016 D2CCA All-America First Team
2016 Don Hansen Gazette All-America First Team
2016 PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Year
2017 Chambliss Academic Achievement Award Silver Medal
2014 D2Football.com All-America Honorable Mention
2x Don Hansen Gazette All-Region Team (2016 First Team, 2015 Third Team)
3x All-PSAC East First Team (2014, 2015, 2016)
2x Team Captain (2015, 2016)
2014 Team MVP
Kutztown is part of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The PSAC has pumped out several NFL players which include Andre Reed, John Kuhn, Jahri Evans and John Mobley.
For those unaware, the Gene Upshaw Award is an honor given to the nation’s best Division II lineman, offensive or defensive. Not only did Morgan accomplish this feat, he also was named the PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Year award, the first time a lineman has ever claimed the award.
Morgan was absolutely dominant against anyone in his way throughout the entirety of his career. To see Morgan in action, check out his dominating performance against PSAC rival East Stroudsburg.
Morgan has already stated that he will be making the transition to guard upon entering the league. Let’s take a look at some of the strengths and weaknesses for Morgan as draft day quickly approaches.
Strengths
- NFL arm length and large hands
- Quick on his feet out of his stance
- Solid foot work once engaged on the block
- Knows how to block out in space
- Adequate leverage paired with good hand placement
- Delivers heavy punch at the point of attack
- Aggressive play style
- Rarely lunges into contact
- Often keeps knees bent when engaged in block
Weaknesses
- Needs to keep head up during drive blocks
- Feet need to stay under him while sustaining blocks
- Needs to adjust to much bigger, stronger opponents coming from Division II
- Adjustment from tackle to guard may take time
- Must adapt with balance with hand in the dirt more frequently
NFL Comparison: Hugh Thornton
Projection: Fourth round
Bottom Line
Howie Roseman is always looking to add to the trenches. Despite adding Chance Warmack and extending Stefan Wisniewski, the Eagles would be wise to add a young project into the mix that can learn behind seasoned veterans. The key word here is “project”. It is never easy to make a position change for an athlete, especially when transitioning from Division II to the NFL. However, if anyone can make the leap, it’s Morgan. With sound character and work ethic, Morgan will do whatever it takes to help both himself and his team succeed. Getting drafted in front of his hometown would be a dream come true and a nice pick up for the Eagles.
