C Jimmy Morrissey, Pittsburgh
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 305
HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL): Huntington, PA (LaSalle College)
247 RATING: N/A
STARS: N/A
YEAR: Senior
POSITION RANK: 7
CAREER
GAMES PLAYED/STARTED: 36/36
2019
GAMES PLAYED/STARTED: 13/13
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Jimmy Morrissey Breakdown
If it weren’t for his father putting his foot down during recruiting, Jimmy Morrissey might have ended up elsewhere. Dad knew best apparently, and the former walk-on has turned zero FBS offers into a motivation that’s made him one of the best centers in the country. His dad brought him here, and he took care of the rest.
Morrissey’s stocky frame limits him at times against players with length, but even if they get their hands inside his hands, his lower body’s strong enough to endure a rusher or blitzer and not lose leverage. He thrives at identifying potential blitzers and getting his teammates into position, something 36 career starts has provided him. There aren’t many concepts he’s not ready for, and most of the situations he’s put in come down to his physical tools.
Pitt likes to get him out in space or use him to reach a man a gap over. He’s a quick puller and reacher thanks to great lateral quickness. There aren’t any problems with him getting to his man, but he’s still working on finishing the block by sealing that defender. Again, his power and strength are good, but he isn’t quite elite in either to help him turn his man’s shoulders and seal them away from the ball carrier. Everything he does generates good power too. Not elite power, but enough to get the job done.
Morrissey’s path to starting center for Pitt is a fun story to follow. He took his dad’s decision and ran with it, giving the Panthers a leader up front that can help Kenny Pickett decipher what the defense is doing on a given play. His natural tools aren’t elite, but he’s figured out how to use them to his advantage even when the defender has the upper hand. What he does in his final season is up to him, and the NFL would be another great chapter to add to this tale.
