Jimmy Morrissey / Center / Pittsburgh
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Jimmy Morrissey: I am 6’3 and 303 pounds.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Jimmy Morrissey: At EXOS in Pensacola, Florida. The entire experience has been great.
Alex Khvatov: When is your scheduled Pro Day?
Jimmy Morrissey: On March 17th.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your training regimen right now.
Jimmy Morrissey: I train six days a week. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we do linear speed work. Tuesday and Thursday, we do multidirectional speed work. We do 40 times, 40 time starts, shuttle, and L-drill. After the morning workout, we do field work with our O-line coach. Josh Sitton, former Packers OL is our coach. We lift at 1 o’clock every day. Wednesday is a recovery day. They also give us meals for the day.
Alex Khvatov: You accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. What was the biggest takeaway for you from that all-star game?
Jimmy Morrissey: I got added on Friday. Friday morning, I did field work at EXOS and came back to my apartment. My agent got me Jim Nagy on the phone. The Senior Bowl had some injuries on the O-line, and they invited me. I was in Mobile. I had to wait three hours for my Covid test. The Panthers coaches can get me up to speed in a day. I went over the playbook with Tony Sparano Jr. and Pat Meyer. I woke up the next morning to play the game on Saturday. I haven’t played since December 10th. The Senior Bowl was amazing. It was awesome how it played out.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best player that you faced during the week in Mobile, Alabama?
Jimmy Morrissey: DL Rashad Weaver. He has been my teammate at Pitt. He came inside a lot. He lined up as a three-tech. I played OG for half of the game. I faced him quite a bit during the game.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Jimmy Morrissey: I was a center the last two years. I also played DT, OT and OG.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Jimmy Morrissey: I went to seven camps my senior year. None of the schools thought I was good enough. I had a spreadsheet with 126 FBS schools. I had contacts of every offensive coordinator, OL coach and recruiting coordinator from every one of those schools. I sent out about 1,000 emails. I received three late offers from Lehigh, Bucknell, and Colgate. They were half scholarships. Dartmouth called me after I committed to Pitt.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Pittsburgh?
Jimmy Morrissey: I came as a walk-on to Pitt. I formed a good relationship with OL coach John Peterson. He didn’t have a scholarship for me, but he wanted me on the team. He believed in me. Coach Peterson saw something in me at one of those camps.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall career?
Jimmy Morrissey: I earned a scholarship my redshirt freshman year. I started 47 games during my four years. From the team standpoint, I wish we could have won more games and brought back a championship. We were in the conference championship one year, but I wasn’t able to play against Clemson because I was hurt. I was doubted so much, but I worked my way up. I showed my work ethic and passion for the game. I got better each and every day. I was fortunate for the opportunity that I was given.
Alex Khvatov: How honored were you to win the 2020 Burlsworth Trophy (most outstanding player in CFB who began his career as a walk-on)?
Jimmy Morrissey: It was awesome. It is an amazing award. Hunter Renfrow and Baker Mayfield have won it in the past. It is a testament to Pitt’s football program. The best will always play at this program. I took advantage of the opportunity. I knew deep down inside who I was and what I was capable of.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Jimmy Morrissey: Number one strength is my mentality. I was a walk-on, and I grinded my way out of the situation. I knew that I was going to be successful. Also my work ethic. I am a hard worker. My leadership skills as well. I lead guys. I was a two-time team captain. I take great pride in that responsibility. Those are the three main things that define who I am. My love for the game and my story. I was meant to be a football player from a young age. There is more work to be done. I have so much more that I want to accomplish.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Jimmy Morrissey: Trying to increase my knowledge. I am a smart player. Not many people can do what I do as a center in the entire country. But there is always something you can learn.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Jimmy Morrissey: Being voted team captain as a junior and senior. It was one of my goals coming in. I wanted to be a three-time captain. That was an original goal.
Alex Khvatov: Which ACC team had the best DL?
Jimmy Morrissey: Our DL at the University of Pittsburgh. Jaylen Twyman, Rashad Weaver and Patrick Jones II. Miami, FL always has good guys too. They are putting out good defensive linemen.
Alex Khvatov: What makes Pitt’s defensive line so good?
Jimmy Morrissey: They are as good as advertised. Weaver and Jones II were consensus All-Americans. Jaylen Twyman would have been an All-American if he played this season. Going up against those guys felt like an NFL practice. They made me a lot better. It prepared me for the next level. All three of those guys will start next season as rookies.
Alex Khvatov: How much of a challenge was it to play against Clemson?
Jimmy Morrissey: Clemson consistently executes day in and day out. Putting points on the board and stopping offenses. I played one game against them personally. I also remember when we beat them in 2016. They are a talented team every year. Hats off to them. They do it consistently every week.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Jimmy Morrissey: The biggest lesson is to continuously improve each and every day. Pat Narduzzi always told us to get 3% better every day. Get better in practice, film room and in the classroom. Coach Borbely, our OL coach, taught me so many lessons. He taught me about football. I credit him for the player I am today.
Alex Khvatov: You share the same facility with the Steelers. Do you get a chance to interact with them?
Jimmy Morrissey: A lot of the time we will be on the field practicing, and the Steelers players will be there. Mike Tomlin came to watch our practices. We also had the chance to watch their practices as well.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Jimmy Morrissey: Last season, I cheered for the Vikings because of my former teammate Brian O’Neill. But I will have a new favorite team at the end of April.
Alex Khvatov: Who do you like to watch film on?
Jimmy Morrissey: It was Jason Kelce for a long time. I watch more than just him now. JC Tretter from the Cleveland Browns and Corey Linsley from the Packers.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye out for next season?
Jimmy Morrissey: QB Kenny Pickett, OT Carter Warren, C Owen Drexel, and OT Gabe Houy.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the toughest DL that you have faced on an opposing team?
Jimmy Morrissey: DL Tim Settle from Virginia Tech. That dude didn’t get tired. I would pride myself on going hard. I would wear guys down at the end of games, but he played hard every snap. It was a battle and a good game against him. Also Greg Rousseau from Miami. They put him at nose tackle, and we went up against each other.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best teammate you played with?
Jimmy Morrissey: FB/TE Jake Zilinskas is another walk-on who earned a scholarship.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for an OL?
Jimmy Morrissey: They have to be dependable. You have to count on them to do their job. The three things for me are dependability, toughness and being smart.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Jimmy Morrissey: Winning games.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Jimmy Morrissey: I like to golf in the summer. Hang out with friends and watch TV shows. I love watching film. Coach Dave Borbely and I had a great relationship. We always watched film together.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Jimmy Morrissey: I want to coach high school football. I also want to work with my dad in the family construction business.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Jimmy Morrissey: My work ethic. I pride myself on being the hardest working guy. I am passionate about life and football.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Jimmy Morrissey: There are three parts to being a leader. Number one is establishing good relationships. They trust you, and you trust them. Connecting with people on a personal level. Secondly, effectively communicating with the guys. Setting the vision for your positional group and seeing how that vision can be obtained. Thirdly, leading by example. Being the hardest worker in the room.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Jimmy Morrissey: Smart, tough, dependable, hardworking and passionate.
