Notre Dame cornerback and projected first-round NFL Draft pick Benjamin Morrison will undergo season-ending hip surgery, likely ending his college career.
Head coach Marcus Freeman told reporters the news Monday. Morrison suffered a hip injury during Saturday’s 49-7 win over Stanford.
“It’s obviously a blow to our team,” Freeman said. “You lose a captain, a great football player. You feel terrible for the kid. He gives football, he gives preparation everything he has. It’s just tough. He’s a tough kid, he’s a tough individual.”
Morrison, a junior captain, recorded three interceptions and 10 passes defended as a sophomore and ranked third in the nation as a freshman with six interceptions in 2022. Morrison, a preseason All-American, is expected to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft .
Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports projects Morrison as a first-round pick, placing him at No. 13 on his big board.
The injury is another blow to a Notre Dame team that is ranked 12th in the country and hopeful of playing itself in the 12-team College Football Playoff field. The Irish have already lost Charles Jagusah, center Ashton Craig and defensive players Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore to season-ending injuries. Notre Dame is 5-1 with a Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois at home, putting its prospects of making the CFP in jeopardy.
