The Jets went out and got Sam Darnold’s backup of the future in the fourth round on Saturday.
James Morgan has a live arm and the Jets are excited with his potential between his smarts, football acumen and leadership. This pick may seem like a bit of a reach, but Sam Darnold has missed six career games due to various injuries and illnesses. The Jets have averaged eight points per game in his absence. They are 0-6 in those games.
With that said, let’s get to the know the Jets’ latest addition. Here are four things to know about Morgan.
Grew up a mile from Lambeau Field
James Morgan grew right up in the backyard of Lambeau Field.
Morgan idolized both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers growing up. He wore Favre’s No. 8 up until eighth grade and then switched to Rodgers’s No. 12 once he went to high school. Morgan played football at Ashwaubenon High, which is 1.4 miles from Lambeau Field.
Aspiring Lawyer
If the whole football thing doesn’t work out for James Morgan, he has another potential career lined up for himself.
He aspires to become a lawyer after football. Morgan graduated from Bowling Green with a pre-law degree. Because of all the advanced placement credits that Morgan earned in high school, he was able to graduate Bowling Green in three years and was immediately eligible to transfer to Florida International University.
An email changed his life
James Morgan, on a whim sent, an email to Bryn Renner, a former college and NFL quarterback who now serves as Florida International’s recruiting coordinator.
After 33 days of sitting in Renner’s inbox, one thing made him open up the email: FIU’s need for a quarterback. Alex McGough had just graduated and ended up in NFL camps after leading FIU to its first bowl games in six seasons.
Renner actually searched the term “quarterback” in his email search bar and landed upon Morgan’s request to play for the program. He then loaded up some of Morgan’s tape on YouTube and he found Butch Davis’ next quarterback. The rest is history.
Shrine Bowl Standout
James Morgan was named the Shrine Bowl Pat Tillman award winner, which is awarded to the player that best exemplifies intelligence, sportsmanship and service. In addition, Morgan was also a team captain at FIU.
Morgan had a pretty good idea the Jets liked him, as they met with him at the Shrine Bowl and were the only official meeting he had at the NFL combine.
