IOWA CITY, Iowa – – Former University of Iowa linebacker James Morris will serve as honorary captain when Iowa hosts Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium (11:05 a.m., FOX) Friday as part of Senior Day and the Hy-Vee Heroes Game.
Morris played as a true freshman and was a four-year letterman from 2010-13. In 2013, he became the first linebacker to lead the team in sacks (8.0) since sacks became an official statistic in 1986. He ranks seventh in program history with 400 stops, while totaling 26 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and six interceptions as a senior.
As a senior, Morris earned fourth-team All-America honors and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection. He started all 13 games at middle linebacker, ranking second on the team with 107 tackles while leading the team with four interceptions. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten as a sophomore and junior after earning Freshman All-America honors in 2010.
The native of Solon, Iowa, earned first-team Academic All-America honors as a senior and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for three years. He was one of 16 players to receive the National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Award, and was one of four finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Among his team awards, Morris was a Permanent Team Captain as a junior and senior and earned the Hayden Fry Award for defense as a junior and senior. He earned the Forest Evashevski Scholastic Achievement Award and was a member of the team Leadership Group for three years. He was a recipient of the Iron Hawk Award and Players Choice Award.
Morris signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s New England Patriots following his Hawkeye career. He was a member of the Patriots organization when New England defeated Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX. Morris also spent time with the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
Morris will accompany the Iowa captains to midfield for Friday’s pregame coin toss. He will also be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game.
