The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to show confidence in young cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and defensive backs coach Rashad Johnson recently explained exactly why the organization remains so high on him.
In a press conference, Johnson declared that Morrison possesses an “elite” skill set for the cornerback position, praise that reflects both Morrison’s physical tools and the technical ability he has already displayed flashes of last season as a rookie.
At 6’0″ and around 190 pounds, Morrison has the ideal combination of length, fluidity, and movement skills teams look for in modern outside corners. His athletic profile allows him to mirror receivers effectively in man coverage while also giving him the recovery speed necessary to stay competitive vertically downfield. But what truly separates Morrison is his instincts and ball production.
During his collegiate career at Notre Dame, Morrison established himself as one of the top ball-hawking defensive backs in college football, totaling nine interceptions and 18 pass breakups across just 31 games. His breakout freshman season included six interceptions, immediately putting him on the national radar as one of the most instinctive young corners in the country. Morrison’s ability to anticipate routes, stay patient at the line of scrimmage, and locate the football consistently allows him to play bigger than his frame. Unlike many young corners who rely purely on athleticism early in their careers, Morrison entered the NFL with polished footwork and advanced coverage technique already in place.
The only issue has been his health. Morrison played only 10 games in his rookie season, dealing with lingering hamstring issues. He still produced 19 tackles and 4 passes defended in a limited role behind Jamel Dean, as he started only 3 of his 10 games. However, it’s clear the Buccaneers front office and staff are high on the once dominant corner who will now battle for the starting outside corner. Morrison will have the chance to showcase those skills.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs coaching staff hyping up Benjamin Morrison heading into 2026
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
