Antonio Morrison

Morrison lived in Bellwood, Illinois, and Romeoville, Illinois, before settling in Bolingbrook, Illinois, where he attended Bolingbrook High School.{{Cite web |last=Adam L. Jahns |date=Jan 27, 2016 |title=Bolingbrook's Antonio Morrison has Bears', NFL's attention |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/1/27/18464267/bolingbrook-s-antonio-morrison-has-bears-nfl-s-attention |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website=chicago.suntimes.com}} He was a three-year varsity starter for the football team. As a senior linebacker in 2011, Morrison was named 1st Team All-State after leading Bolingbrook to an IHSA Class 8A State Championship. After the season, Morrison participated in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona. He was named a USA Today 2nd Team All-American.

Rated a 4-star recruit by Rivals.com, Morrison committed to Florida in August 2011 shortly before his senior season. He chose the Gators over numerous offers that included Alabama and Oregon.

In July 2013, Morrison was charged with interfering with a police animal after barking at a police dog. The charge was dropped after it was determined that Morrison acted without malice. He was suspended for 2 games for the incident by Florida head coach Will Muschamp.{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Chase |date=July 23, 2013 |title=Antonio Morrison charge for barking at police dog dropped |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000220030/article/antonio-morrison-charge-for-barking-at-police-dog-dropped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727034407/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000220030/article/antonio-morrison-charge-for-barking-at-police-dog-dropped |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 27, 2013 |access-date=April 30, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}

On January 3, 2015, Morrsion played in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl, but left the Gators 28–20 victory over East Carolina in the second quarter after he suffered a knee injury while making a tackle.{{Cite web |last=Jordan McPherson |date=January 6, 2015 |title=Notebook: Antonio Morrison injures knee in Birmingham Bowl |url=http://www.alligator.org/sports/football/article_bc962044-9563-11e4-b32d-532e137c94e1.html |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=alligator.com}} While covering a screen pass to an East Carolina running back, Morrison and a teammate playing defensive lineman both converged the East Carolina player to make the tackle. Morrison's teammate accidentally collided with his planted left leg. He immediately crumbled to the ground, clutching his left leg and began screaming in pain uncontrollably. The following day, Morrison was diagnosed with torn ligaments and a torn ACL in his left knee. His injury was described as devastating and Morrison was told he may never normally walk again, let alone return to football. The injury, dramatically changed Morrison's initial plan to forgo his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL draft. He had two surgeries on January 9, 2014 and February 23, 2015. Morrison was given a ten-month timetable to fully recovery, but managed to return in six months and was given the permission to return to football the following month in August.{{Cite web |last=Edward Aschoff |date=December 3, 2015 |title=How Antonio Morrison came back from a devastating knee injury to lead Florida's defense |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14279321/florida-gators-star-linebacker-antonio-morrison-incredible-comeback |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}

In four seasons with the Florida Gators, Morrison compiled 315 total tackles, 21 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 3 forced fumbles.{{Cite web |title=Antonio Morrison profile |url=http://floridagators.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2168 |access-date=April 30, 2016 |website=floridagators.com}}

On December 8, 2015, it was announced that Morrison had accepted his invitation to play in the 2016 Senior Bowl.{{Cite web |last=Colin Lindsey |date=December 8, 2015 |title=Senior Bowl invites |url=https://gbnreport.com/senior-bowl-invites-2/ |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=GBNReport.com}} On January 30, 2016, Morrison played in the Reese's Senior Bowl and was part of Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley's South team that defeated the North 27–16. He was one of 38 collegiate linebackers that was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.{{Cite web |last=Christopher Gates |date=February 29, 2016 |title=2016 NFL Scouting Combine Workout Results: Linebacker |url=https://www.dailynorseman.com/platform/amp/2016/2/29/11132144/2016-nfl-scouting-combine-workout-results-linebacker |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=dailynorseman.com}} He failed to appear which initially cause speculation, but Morrison stated at Florida's pro day it was due to an infection.{{Cite web |last=Brian Stultz |date=April 25, 2016 |title=Report: Antonio Morrison Missed NFL Combine Due To Infection |url=https://watchstadium.com/news/antonio-morrison-combine-infection-04-25-2016/ |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=watchstadium.com}} On March 22, 2016, Morrison attended Florida's pro day and performed all of the combine and positional drills as over 70 scouts and representatives from all 32 NFL teams looked on.{{Cite web |last=Fox Sports |date=March 23, 2016 |title=Florida players work out for NFL execs during Gators pro day |url=https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/florida-players-work-out-for-nfl-execs-during-gators-pro-day-032316 |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=foxsports.com}} Morrison also attended private workouts and visits with a few teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Chicago Bears.{{Cite web |last=Terry McCormick |date=March 21, 2016 |title=Titans examine pair of Florida draft prospects |url=http://titaninsider.com/titans-look-pair-florida-prospects/ |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=titaninsider.com}}{{Cite web |last=Joe Buscaglia |date=March 31, 2016 |title=Source: Bills to host LB Morrison on draft visit |url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/bills/source-bills-to-host-lb-morrison-on-draft-visit |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=WKBW.com}}{{Cite web |last=Sam Householder |date=March 25, 2016 |title=Which draft prospects have the Bears met with? |url=https://www.windycitygridiron.com/platform/amp/2016/3/25/11302848/which-2016-nfl-draft-prospects-have-the-chicago-bears-met-with |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=windycitygridiron.com}} At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Morrison was projected to be a seventh round pick or priority undrafted free agent by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts. He was also ranked the 11th best inside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com and was ranked the 15th best linebacker by Sports Illustrated.{{Cite web |title=Antonio Morrsion, DS #11 ILB, Florida |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=124464&draftyear=2016&genpos=ILB |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=nfldraftscout.com}}{{Cite web |last=Chris Burke |date=April 12, 2016 |title=2016 NFL Draft Positional Rankings |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/04/12/nfl-draft-2016-position-rankings-players-prospects |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=si.com}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 0 3/4

| weight = 232

| dash = 5.10

| ten split = 1.82

| twenty split = 2.99

| shuttle = 4.60

| cone drill = 7.69

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 3

| bench = 23

| vertical = 30

| arm span = 30 3/8

| hand span = 9

| note = All values from Florida's Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Antonio Morrison Draft Profile |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115002958/https://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/antonio-morrison?id=2555160 |access-date=April 30, 2016 |website=National Football League}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=124464&DraftYear=2016 |title=Antonio Morrison College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=October 5, 2024}}

}}

The Indianapolis Colts selected Morrison in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Morrison was the 18th linebacker selected in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Josh Wilson |date=April 30, 2016 |title=Colts draft Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison in fourth round of NFL Draft |url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/4/30/11544762/colts-draft-florida-linebacker-antonio-morrison-in-fourth-round-of-nfl-draft |access-date=February 15, 2018 |website=stampedeblue.com}} On May 6, 2016, the Colts signed Morrison to a four-year, $2.85 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $519,906.{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2016 |title=Indianapolis Colts sign fourth round draft pick LB-Antonio Morrison |url=http://blogs.colts.com/2016/05/06/indianapolis-colts-sign-fourth-round-draft-pick-lb-antonio-morrison/ |access-date=May 6, 2016 |website=blogs.colts.com}}{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Antonio Morrison contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts/antonio-morrison-19079/ |access-date=February 15, 2018 |website=spotrac.com}}

Throughout training camp, Morrison competed against Sio Moore, Nate Irving, Amarlo Herrera, Junior Sylvestre, and Edwin Jackson in an open competition for the vacant starting inside linebacker role after Jerrell Freeman departed during free agency.{{Cite web |last=Mike Chapelle |date=July 20, 2016 |title=Colts linebacker Nate Irving looking for more in 2nd season |url=http://fox59.com/2016/05/20/colts-linebacker-nate-irving-looking-for-more-in-2nd-season/ |access-date=February 15, 2018 |website=fox59.com}}{{Cite web |last=Josh Wilson |date=July 26, 2016 |title=Ted Monachino on Colts inside linebacker competition: "We've got three really good players there" |url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/2016/7/26/12286782/ted-monachino-inside-linebacker-competition-three-really-good-players-colts-nate-irving-sio-moore |access-date=February 15, 2018 |website=stampedeblue.com}} Head coach Chuck Pagano named Morrison the fourth inside linebacker on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind D'Qwell Jackson, Moore, and Josh McNary.{{Cite web |last=Kevin Bowen |date=September 6, 2016 |title=Colts Release 2016 Regular Season Depth Chart |url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Release-2016-Regular-Season-Depth-Chart/b0d13328-534f-488f-9845-abc94298b12a |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216205320/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Release-2016-Regular-Season-Depth-Chart/b0d13328-534f-488f-9845-abc94298b12a |archive-date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=Colts.com}}

He made his professional regular season debut in the Colts' season-opener against the Detroit Lions and made one solo tackle during their 39–35 loss. Morrison made his first career tackle on tight end Eric Ebron after he caught a 13-yard pass from Matthew Stafford in the second quarter.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2016 |title=NFL Game Center: Week-2016: Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016091111/2016/REG1/lions@colts |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} On December 11, 2016, Morrison earned his first career start in place of Jackson after Jackson suffered a concussion during a Week 13 victory over the New York Jets and was placed in the concussion protocol.{{Cite web |last=Fox Sports |date=June 30, 2016 |title=Colts Injury Update: D'Qwell Jackson, Denzelle Good Enter League's Concussion Protocol |url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/colts-injury-update-d-qwell-jackson-denzelle-good-enter-league-s-concussion-protocol-120616 |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=FoxSports.com}}{{Cite web |last=Josh Wilson |date=December 11, 2016 |title=Colts inactives vs. Texans include several injured starters |url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/platform/amp/2016/12/11/13912258/colts-inactives-vs-texans-include-several-injured-starters |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=stampedeblue.com}} He finished the Colts' 22–17 loss to the Houston Texans with nine combined tackles.{{Cite web |title=NFL Game Center: Week 14-2016: Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016121104/2016/REG14/texans@colts |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} On December 24, 2016, Morrison collected a season-high 11 combined tackles as the Colts' lost 33–25 at the Oakland Raiders. Morrison finished his rookie season in 2016 with 52 combined tackles (33 solo) in 16 games and four starts. The Indianapolis Colts finished the 2016 season third in the AFC South with an 8–8 record and did not qualify for the playoffs. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Morrison the third most efficient tackler among rookies in 2016 with a tackling efficiency grade of 12.3.{{Cite web |last=Kevin Hickey |date=July 13, 2016 |title=Colts' Antonio Morrison among most efficient tacklers in 2016 |url=https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2017/07/13/indianapolis-colts-antonio-morrison-most-efficient-tacklers/ |access-date=February 16, 2017 |website=coltswire.usatoday.com}}

Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino stated the Colts would hold an open competition during organized team activities and training camp to name a new starting inside linebackers to replace longtime veteran D'Qwell Jackson, who was released after the 2016 season. The competition included Morrison, Jon Bostic, Sean Spence, Luke Rhodes, Edwin Jackson, and rookie Anthony Walker Jr.{{Cite web |last=Kevin Hickey |date=August 31, 2017 |title=Colts' Antonio Morrison seeing a lot of work with first-team |url=https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2017/08/03/indianapolis-colts-antonio-morrison-work-first-team/ |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=coltswire.usatoday.com}}{{Cite web |last=Stephen Holder |date=February 17, 2017 |title=Colts release linebacker D'Qwell Jackson |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2017/02/09/colts-release-linebacker-dqwell-jackson/97701770/?from=new-cookie |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=indystar.com}} Head coach Chuck Pagano named Morrison and Jon Bostic the starting inside linebackers, along with outside linebackers John Simon and Jabaal Sheard.{{Cite web |last=Stephen Holder |date=September 6, 2017 |title=Insider: Breaking down the Colts' depth chart |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2017/09/07/insider-breaking-down-colts-depth-chart/640668001/?from=new-cookie |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=indystar.com}}

He started the Colts' season-opener at the Los Angeles Rams and recorded four combined tackles as the Colts were routed 46–9. The following week, he was inactive due to a groin injury and missed the Colts' 16–13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Andrew Ites |date=September 13, 2017 |title=Colts Injury Report: Morrison, Walker Day-to-Day, Rogers Returns |url=https://www.horseshoeheroes.com/2017/09/13/colts-injury-report-two-lbs-day-day-chester-rogers-back/ |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=horseshoeheroes.com}} On October 22, 2017, he recorded a season-high 14 combined tackles during a 27–0 loss to the Jaguars. In Week 15, Morrison made 12 combined tackles in the Colts' 25–13 loss to the Denver Broncos.{{Cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Antonio Morrsion (2017) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/antoniomorrison/2555160/gamelogs?season=2017 |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} He completed his second season with a total of 109 combined tackles (64 solo) and one pass deflection in 15 games and 15 starts.{{Cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Antonio Morrison (career) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/antoniomorrison/2555160/careerstats |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} Head coach Chuck Pagano was fired after the Colts finished 4–12 and did not qualify for the playoffs. The Colts' linebacker corps was weakest part of their defense. PFF gave Morrison an overall grade of 35.8 and it ranked 83rd among all linebackers in 2017.{{Cite web |title=Pro Football Focus: Antonio Morrsion |url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/antonio-morrison/10759 |access-date=February 16, 2018 |website=ProFootballFocus.com}}

On August 26, 2018, Morrison was traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for cornerback Lenzy Pipkins.{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2018 |title=Packers acquire LB Antonio Morrison in trade with Colts |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-acquire-lb-antonio-morrison-in-trade-with-colts |website=Packers.com}} He recorded his first career sack on November 4, 2018, on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

On March 8, 2019, the Packers waived Morrison.{{Cite web |last=Nash |first=Anthony |date=March 8, 2019 |title=Packers release linebacker Antonio Morrison |url=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2019/03/08/packers-release-linebacker-antonio-morrison/ |access-date=March 9, 2019 |website=PackersWire}}{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2019 |title=Packers release LB Antonio Morrison |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-release-lb-antonio-morrison |website=packers.com}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://floridagators.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2168 Profile at FloridaGators.com]

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Bellwood, Illinois

Category:Players of American football from Cook County, Illinois

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Florida Gators football players

Category:Indianapolis Colts players

Category:Green Bay Packers players