In a shocking turn of events, Notre Dame football fans were left reeling by the announcement that their star cornerback, Benjamin Morrison, will miss the remainder of the season due to a severe hip injury. The news, delivered by head coach Marcus Freeman during his Monday press conference, sent shockwaves through the college football landscape. Morrison was expected to be a potential All-American this year and the top corner drafted in this year’s draft. What does the future hold for him now?
Unfortunate Injury to Notre Dame’s Star Cornerback
A Rising Notre Dame Star’s Meteoric Ascent
Morrison’s journey with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has been remarkable. The junior defender arrived in South Bend in the summer of 2022 and immediately made an impact – a rarity for freshman defensive backs in Notre Dame’s program. His performances throughout the 2022 season were nothing short of dominant, as he quickly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the college game.
In 2022, the Irishman took in six interceptions and returned one for a TD. This year, he has been even more essential, becoming an actual shut-down corner, giving up just 12 catches on 27 targets for 125 total yards and no touchdowns. He will be irreplaceable for the Irish as they pursue a playoff spot. A task that seems unlikely without Morrison on the field in South Bend.
The Impact of Benjamin Morrison’s Hip Injury and Recovery
Sunday, it was determined that the severity of his hip injury would require season-ending surgery, sidelining the talented cornerback for the remainder of the campaign. This news was a devastating blow to the Notre Dame defense, which had come to rely on Morrison’s lockdown coverage and playmaking abilities.
With this type of hip fracture, surgery is required, but it should be 100 percent recoverable with no loss of speed. The remaining question is, how much will this affect his draft stock, or should he return to Notre Dame for his senior season?
Draft Stock Plummeting
Mid-season injuries for top projected picks can be devastating. Morrison was number 20 on Mel Kiper’s big board; on mine, I had him going to the Jaguars at number four overall. He has the length, speed and football intelligence to be a star in the NFL. His demeanor, temperament and NFL pedigree separate him from the rest of the DBs in the 2025 draft class. His father, Darryl Morrison, played four seasons opposite Darrell Green in the backfield for the Washington Redskins.
Morrison could return to Notre Dame for his Senior year, play another year for the Irish and reinsert himself into the top 10 of the 2026 draft. However, risking another injury could derail his career irreparably.
Pursuing the draft after this injury and performing well at the combine in April is his best path to the NFL and the most likely decision. We saw Georgia tight End Brock Bowers go down midseason but still go No. 11 overall despite the injury. Morrison is that kind of talent.
It’s a devastating development for the Irish and Morrison, but time will prove he will be a draft-day steal regardless of how far he slips in the draft.
Main Image: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
