Derek Morris attended North Mecklenberg High School in Huntersville, North Carolina. He was named first team all-American as a senior and became the first offensive lineman to ever win MVP honors in the Shrine Bowl game. He was considered to be one of the top 5 offensive tackle prospects and one of the top 35 overall prospects in the nation coming out of high school. He accepted a scholarship to Ohio State before transferring to North Carolina State where he saw action as a freshman after being limited in spring workouts. He received the “offensive newcomer of the year” award for his performance as a freshman. Derek missed two games as a sophomore in 2004 due to a high ankle sprain he suffered against Miami. He was able to return and start the final two games of the season. He was one of the top offensive linemen in his conference as a junior and opted to skip his senior season to enter the 2006 NFL draft.

Derek Morris has a great combination of size, strength, and athleticism for an offensive tackle. He has long arms which allow him to keep defenders away from his body. He is a powerful run blocker who also has the athleticism and quick feet you look for in a left tackle. Derek has had some durability problems in college and doesn’t have a great deal of experience with only 12 career starts. He needs to refine his technique including improving his footwork and getting better leverage. He has some problems with speed rushers coming off the edge and has problems getting to the second level in the running game. Derek Morris is raw, but he has all the physical tools you look for in an offensive tackle. He will take a couple years to develop but he has a great deal of upside and could project at either left or right tackle down the line. He should be a mid round pick on draft day.