2023 NFL Draft: Wanya Morris Scouting Report

Wanya Morris began his college career in 2019 with the Tennessee Volunteers. In that freshman season with the Vols, Morris started 12 of 13 games for the orange and white, earning SEC All-Freshmen Honors. In his second season in Knoxville, (the pandemic shortened Covid-19 season), Morris started seven of the nine games he played in while missing only one game during the 2020 season.

After the 2020 season, Morris decided to leave the Volunteer State and head west to the Sooner State. In 2021, as a member of the University of Oklahoma Sooners football team, Morris saw his numbers drop off significantly. He played in six of 13 games while serving primarily as the team’s backup, left tackle. In his final season in Norman, in 2022, Morris was able to start eight games, this time at right, not his usual left, tackle position. He played in a total of nine games overall, of the team’s 13 games that season. For the season Morris earned All-Big 12 Second Team, honors.

Strengths

Once engaged, stays on and moves his block;

Long arms (seven-foot wingspan);

Rarely gets beat to the inside;

Can recover if beat, initially, to the outside;

Above average hand-fighting skills.

Weaknesses

Base of support biomechanics, become altered; loses balance;

Does not stay on his blocks for an adequate duration;

Does not stay low on pulling plays or downfield blocking;

Unstable balance due to hands not moving in synchronicity with feet;

An injury ended his college career.

NFL Comparison: Trey Pipkins

Projection: Rounds 3-4

Bottom Line on Wanya Morris

Wanya Morris is a third to fourth-round prospect. His upside is that he has the physical and athletic variables that are typically indicative of a successful NFL lineman. He has an explosive out-step from his stance to engage defenders attempting to beat him to the outside on pass plays. One of the aspects of his game that is sure to be an eye-opener for teams in need of offensive line help is his ability to take on double teams, a skill that is very difficult for any offensive lineman to meet.

What will make teams “think again” when it comes to Morris is his difficulty to get his hands on his opponent’s numbers. This hinders Morris’ ability to fully take control of his opponent, which can lead to sacks, tackles made in the backfield, and holding calls. Morris also appears to have difficulty staying low out of his stance on any type of play including a play where he has to pull. For Morris, it appears he may have weak lower body and core muscle power, which may be the cause of his inability to stay low on any type of play. With Morris, his strengths outweigh his weaknesses, and a team with a pick in the middle rounds, will be getting an eventual NFL starter.

Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports

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