Benjamin Morrison was selected in the second round with the 53rd overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday. The first Notre Dame player selected in the 2025 Draft, Morrison becomes the highest Irish defensive back selected in the NFL Draft since Kyle Hamilton (2022). He is the eighth Notre Dame player drafted by Tampa Bay all-time (most recent was T Robert Hainsey, 2021)

A 2024 team captain, Morrison led the Irish with six interceptions in 2022, earning consensus Freshman All-America honors. Morrison added three more interceptions to his career total in the 2023 season and owns the second-most for a Notre Dame player since 1996, behind teammate Xavier Watts. 

While his 2024 season was cut short due to injury, Morrison amassed four pass breakups and 20 tackles in just six games. He continued to serve as a leader on defense for the Irish as they made their run to the CFP National Title game, as Notre Dame’s defense finished the season first in pass efficiency defense (104.4), first in turnovers gained (33), first in defensive touchdowns (6), first in blocked kicks (6), second in fumbles recovered (14), second in blocked punts (3), fourth in passing yards allowed (169.4), fourth in scoring defense (15.5), fifth in passes intercepted (19) and 11th in total defense (307.4).

His six interceptions in 2022 were the most for an Irish player since Manti Te’o picked off seven passes on his way to finishing second in the 2021 Heisman Trophy balloting. It also is the most for an Irish cornerback since Cole Luke intercepted four passes in 2014. 

The six interceptions were the third-most for any FBS defensive player in 2022 and tied for the most of any Power 5 defensive back.Â