By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
ASHWAUBENON – James Morgan, a 2015 Ashwaubenon High School graduate, was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2020 National Football League Draft with the 125th overall pick.
The draft was originally scheduled to take place in Las Vegas April 23-25, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held virtually.
“It was an amazing feeling getting drafted,” said Morgan via text message. “I was extremely excited when I got the phone call from the Jets, and I was able to share it with my entire family. To represent the Green Bay area means a whole lot to me. The experience was a great feeling, and I enjoyed it.”
After starting his college career at Bowling Green, Morgan, a quarterback at Florida International University, passed for a combined 5,312 yards and threw 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his two years with the Panthers.
He was selected as the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year in 2018.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Morgan was reportedly linked to a dozen teams – including the Green Bay Packers – before the draft.
Once the Packers drafted Utah State quarterback Jordan Love in the first round, Morgan’s chances of landing in Green Bay dwindled.
Morgan is expected to compete for a backup role to incumbent Sam Darnold.
Quarterbacks David Fales (San Jose State) and Mike White (Western Kentucky) are also currently on the New York roster.
“Whatever role the Jets have in mind, I’ll do everything I can to help the team win, whatever capacity that might be,” Morgan said. “I’m going to be myself. My goal is to be on the team come fall. It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m very blessed and fortunate to be in the situation I’m in.”
In a recent online article by SI.com, writer Kalyn Kahler said Morgan could be the 2020 NFL Draft’s biggest quarterback sleeper.
His draft status was helped by his strong performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl Jan. 18, where he was 9-of-14 for 116 yards passing with a touchdown for his East squad.
He was honored with the Pat Tillman Award after the game, which is presented to a player who best exemplifies character, intelligence, sportsmanship and service.
It marks the second consecutive year a Green Bay area player was drafted into the NFL.
Green Bay Southwest’s Max Scharping was a second-round pick of the Houston Texans a year ago.
Bay Port’s Alec Ingold also landed on the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders’ roster last season after going undrafted.