Latest news with #BenjaminMorrison
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Buccaneers predicted to cut 2024 starter as they get close to training camp
The Buccaneers' secondary in 2024 was a significant issue for the defense, and as a result, it forced the offense to engage in shootouts week in and week out. The team knew they had to address that group on defense during free agency or the draft, and they did that when they selected Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in April. Because of the influx of youth from the NFL Draft, Bleacher Report's Moe Moton is suggesting the Bucs make a move in his latest piece. He wrote about eight bold predictions heading into the new season and one involved Bucs' veteran cornerback Jamel Dean. He is the latest to throw his hat into the ring, suggesting the team move on from him. Moton writes, "Tampa Bay double-dipped at cornerback, taking Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the second and third rounds, respectively. Both have experience lining up on the boundary. General manager Jason Licht believes Morrison will be ready to participate at training camp following hip surgery. If Morrison or Parrish shines in the summer, the Buccaneers may see Dean as an expendable veteran, especially with his current contract situation. Tampa Bay would save $12.9 million in cap space if it cuts him, per Over the Cap. Dean's short-term future in Tampa Bay may hinge upon the performances of two rookies at his position." Dean has been with the Bucs since the team drafted him in 2019, so he was a part of their Super Bowl LV team. His veteran leadership is vital to the younger defenders in the secondary, but the price tag makes it a tougher conversation for him to stay. Seeing how reps are split up during training camp, starting next week, will help paint a clearer picture in this scenario.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Rookie Corner Labeled Possible Surprise
Buccaneers Rookie Corner Labeled Possible Surprise originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' draft class this season was impressive. General manager Jason Licht had a clear focus on the defensive side of the ball after returning all 11 starters from a stacked offense from a season ago. Advertisement The Bucs' defense struggled in pass coverage, with turnovers and pressuring the quarterback last season, and Licht was able to address those needs in both free agency and the draft. Tampa Bay drafted two cornerbacks in Rounds 1 and 2. Licht selected Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison in the second round and Kansas State's Jacob Parrish in the third. It was Parrish that USA Today's Bucs Wire tabbed as a possible surprise in 2025. "While everyone will know the name Benjamin Morrison, who they drafted in the second round, it is the cornerback they selected after him who could make the more immediate impact," Andrew Harbaugh wrote. "While Morrison continues to be brought along from a hip injury he suffered last year, Parrish has been able to practice and is now in the conversation to have the starting nickel role in 2025. Advertisement "He plays in a physical way, he provides run support, and is everything Todd Bowles looks for in his cornerbacks so look for him to play early and often." At the NFL Scouting Combine this year, coach Todd Bowles said he wanted "ballhawks" for his defense after the team tallied just seven interceptions last season. That's exactly what he's getting in Parrish, who had nine interceptions in two seasons, adding 19 pass breakups. He also didn't allow a touchdown in 159 coverage snaps in 2024, while the Bucs allowed 27 - 19th in the league. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Could a Buccaneers rookie takeover for a veteran starter on defense?
Benjamin Morrison, the highly touted rookie out of Notre Dame, is already getting hyped for what he could be for the team, and veteran Jamel Dean should be feeling the pressure. With Dean's recent injury history and declining consistency, Morrison's rise could force a shake-up in the Bucs' secondary sooner than many expected. Jamel Dean has been a solid contributor for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2019, known for his size, speed, and ability to hold his own in man-to-man coverage. However, the last two seasons have been a struggle. He's missed time with toe injuries, a concussion, and lingering lower-body issues that have limited both his availability and effectiveness. Dean appeared in just 11 games last season and was noticeably inconsistent when on the field, particularly against faster receivers. At age 28 and with multiple injuries stacking up, Dean's grip on a starting role is no longer set in stone, especially not with a talented rookie in Morrison being drafted in the second round of the 2025 draft. Benjamin Morrison wasn't just one of the best cornerbacks in college football; he was also one of the smartest and most instinctive. At Notre Dame, he showcased elite ball skills, clean footwork, and awareness for route concepts that often made him look like a veteran. If he continues on this trajectory, it's not hard to imagine head coach Todd Bowles making a change, especially if Dean isn't fully healthy or struggles early in the regular season. Bowles has a history of trusting young defensive backs who prove themselves in practice, and Morrison is clearly on that track. This isn't just about depth, it's about the future. The Buccaneers didn't draft Benjamin Morrison to sit, but his health will be a big factor in determining when he can make the impact they are hoping to get out of him. If Jamel Dean can't stay healthy or sharp, Benjamin Morrison could move into the starting lineup before the Bye Week.
NBC Sports
23-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Jason Licht: Rookie CBs Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish can help Bucs a lot this year
Buccaneers first-round pick Emeka Egbuka's first offseason with the team drew a lot of positive reviews, but the wideout isn't the only first-year player that the team is expecting to make an immediate contribution. They took cornerback Benjamin Morrison in the second round and then added another corner in the third round by selecting Jacob Parrish. During an appearance on the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast, General Manager Jason Licht said that the two rookies have shown enough for him to think that they'll join fourth-year pro Zyon McCollum in playing significant roles in the secondary this year. 'Those guys have been equally as impressive,' Licht said. 'It's been fun to watch. I don't want to already stamp them, but we feel very, very good about them helping us out a lot this year. Plus Zyon's having an amazing offseason as well, so there's not going to be — Very few teams, I think, have three young corners with that much talent right now.' The Bucs still have Jamel Dean as well and the group will play a big part in the push for a fifth straight division title in Tampa.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Notre Dame's secondary is among best in nation, according to Pro Football Focus College
Notre Dame's defense has earned yet another accolade, and we still haven't played a down of the 2025 college football season yet. Pro Football Focus College has the Fighting Irish secondary listed at third in their roundup of the top 10 secondaries. They're in the top five behind Texas and Alabama and ahead of Clemson and Ohio State. Advertisement This even with Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison headed to the NFL. The growth of players like Leonard Moore and Christian Gray, plus the return of veteran Adon Shuler and the addition of Devonta Smith from Alabama have PFF feeling good about the back end of Notre Dame's defense. Here's a bit of what PFF said: "The Fighting Irish made the national championship game last year off a dominant ground game and an elite secondary. Considering Notre Dame has PFF's No. 2 running back unit and our third-ranked secondary, that blueprint should remain the same in 2025." Let's hope that blueprint isn't just the same, but better. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Advertisement Follow Tim on X: @tehealey This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame's secondary considered among top five in the nation
