James Morris Earns Academic Recognition

April 30, 2013

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa linebacker James Morris was recently recognized with the Third House Scholar Award for 2013-14 by the UI Department of Political Science. The Third House group is an association of statehouse lobbyists in Des Moines.

Morris was one of more than 20 students recognized by the Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences during an awards ceremony on April 26. The Third House Scholar Award criteria include excellence in scholarship, active participation, and leadership in political and civic organizations, along with being a graduate of an Iowa high school. The award is given to the person considered by the Political Science faculty as an outstanding senior major.

Morris, a native of Solon, Iowa, will be a senior on the Iowa football team this fall. He has earned academic all-Big Ten recognition the past two years and was named to the CoSIDA/Capital One District VI Academic All-America team last fall.

Morris has been a starting linebacker for the Hawkeyes since his true freshman season in 2010. Last season he ranked third in the Big Ten and 31st in the nation in tackles per game (9.4). He ranks 16th in career tackles (293). He was named a Permanent Team Captain in 2012 while earning the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award and the Players Choice Award on defense. Morris earned honorable mention all-Big Ten honors as a sophomore and junior after being named Freshman All-America by CollegeFootballNews.com as a freshman.

Morris and the Hawkeyes recently concluded spring practice and will begin the 2013 season August 31, facing Northern Illinois in Kinnick Stadium.