An absolute love for the game, a work ethic that rivals anyone, and a drive to be the best. Those are the main things you come away after speaking with Lloyd Morrison. He is a man who will work his rear-end off to become the best he can be, and that is all he is worried about. It is why that after the Rams season ended in November, the 6’3” 300 pound lineman took no days off, and was immediately prepping for the next chapter in his life, the NFL.
Lloyd has had a busy 2013 already, aside from working out Monday-Saturday for six hours a day, Morrison has also played in two collegiate all-star bowl games: The Casino Del Sol game, and the NFLPA Bowl. When asked how the games went, Lloyd simply stated, “Amazing. They allowed me to see the talent out there and it made me realize I can compete on any level.”
He also noted that the coaches named him a captain for the NFLPA Bowl, which of course came as a tremendous honor. Morrison was on the winning side of the 34-0 rout in the NFLPA game, and ended up learning a tremendous amount from head coach Dick Vermeil, and offensive line coaches Will Shields and Jim Hanifan.
As evidenced by being named to those two all start teams, Morrison had a tremendous college career. He has started at all three positions along the line; guard, tackle, and even center. He played right tackle during Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton’s senior year, and he noted that while he is dying for a chance at the next level, certain things won’t match the college experience.
“I will miss us ringing the victory bell and also the post-game family/ fans dinner that we had.” Morrison said. “It is a Fordham tradition for the players, families, and community as a whole.”
One may think that would make Morrison primarily a run blocking lineman. Although he insists that he is not only balanced both as a run blocker and pass protector, but scheme wise as well, which is so important nowadays.
“I grew up playing in a pro style offense with a mix of west coast,” Morrison said, “but in college we were mainly spread.” “I can play whatever. I am fast, physical, and my endurance is always my greatest strength.”
The bench is not the only combine workout Morrison is focused on however, as he has also been doing yoga and leg flexibility exercises to loosen up his lower half for other drills.
When asked if he had a favorite team growing, that maybe he would enjoy getting drafted by, Lloyd said he guess he’d call himself a Giants fan growing up in Jersey, but noted he always loved watching players and their habits more than teams themselves. “I just love the game of football man. I love watching Maurkice Pouncey and Dominic Raiola nowadays. They are both athletic and dominate players. I model myself after them because they use athleticism and technique to beat defenders, similar to my game.”
It is tough to appreciate offensive lineman in general, as skill position players always get all the love. Being an offensive lineman from a small school makes things even harder for Morrison. Morrison had a chance to stand out serious chance to out bench any lineman at the combine last week, which would certainly raise eyebrows. He fell just a few short of his 40+ but put that together with the tape he produced while at school and being an academic all-conference member, and you have the makeup of a potential sleeper in the draft.
“I love challenging others and I always try to be the best on the field as well as in the weight room. If someone is stronger than me I will try my hardest to out best him or her next time we have an all out event.”
Here’s a look at Morrison at his pro day.
