Tanner Morgan (born April 17, 1999) is an American former professional football quarterback. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Tanner Morgan
No. 5
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1999-04-17) April 17, 1999 (age 25)
Hazard, Kentucky, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Ryle
(Union, Kentucky)
College:Minnesota (2017–2022)
Undrafted:2023
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Morgan was born on April 17, 1999.[1] He originally attended Hazard High School in Hazard, Kentucky, before transferring to Ryle High School in Union, Kentucky prior to his junior year.[2] As a senior, he passed 2,747 yards and 27 touchdowns. He originally committed to Western Michigan University to play college football for head coach P. J. Fleck but recommitted to the University of Minnesota after Fleck joined the school in 2017.[3]

College career

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Morgan redshirted his first year at Minnesota in 2017. He entered 2018 as a backup to Zack Annexstad but took over as the starter for the final six games of the season.[4] Overall he played in nine games, completing 89 of 152 passes for 1,401 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.[5][6]

In 2019, Morgan set several school records including passing yards (3,253) and touchdowns (30).[7] He also set a Big Ten Conference record in a victory over Purdue by completing 21 of 22 passes for a completion percentage of 95.5.[8]

Statistics

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Minnesota Golden Gophers
Season Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2017 Redshirted  
2018 9 6 4−2 89 152 58.6 1,401 9.2 9 6 147.6 41 51 1.2 1
2019 13 13 11−2 210 318 66.0 3,253 10.2 30 7 178.7 61 -57 -0.9 1
2020 7 7 3−4 106 183 57.9 1,374 7.5 7 5 128.2 25 -35 -1.4 0
2021 13 13 9−4 149 250 59.6 2,044 8.2 10 9 134.3 59 -9 -0.2 2
2022 6 6 4−2 83 124 66.9 1,164 9.4 7 5 156.4 24 74 3.1 4
Career[9] 48 45 31−14 637 1,027 62.0 9,236 9.0 63 32 151.6 210 24 0.1 8

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 0 38 in
(1.84 m)
204 lb
(93 kg)
29 78 in
(0.76 m)
9 12 in
(0.24 m)
4.97 s 1.72 s 2.75 s 4.45 s 7.23 s 30.0 in
(0.76 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
All values from Minnesota's Pro Day[10]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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Morgan was selected by the Michigan Panthers with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 USFL draft,[11] but he chose not to join the Panthers, hoping to be selected in the 2023 NFL draft instead. He was not selected, but signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent immediately after the draft's conclusion.[12] He was waived on August 28, 2023.[13]

Minnesota Vikings

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On October 5, 2023, Morgan was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, but was released five days later.[14][15] He was re-signed to the practice squad once again on November 8, 2023, and released two days later.[16][17]

Coaching career

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On September 18, 2023, Morgan returned to the University of Minnesota as an offensive analyst on P. J. Fleck's staff following his release from the Steelers.[18] He would vacate the role in October after signing a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

Personal life

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Morgan is a Christian.[19] His father, Ted, died from a brain tumor in July 2021.[20]

References

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  1. ^ The NFL Draft Bible. "NFL Draft Profile: Tanner Morgan, Quarterback, Minnesota Golden Gophers". SI.com. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  2. ^ Clay, John (November 8, 2019). "Ex-Kentucky high school star key to one of college football's biggest games Saturday". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, KY. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "Western Michigan losing recruits to P.J. Fleck, Minnesota". The Detroit News. January 8, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  4. ^ Scoggins, Chip (October 27, 2018). "Quarterback Tanner Morgan ought to stay at starter for Gophers". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  5. ^ Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan may be short but he's crafty
  6. ^ Richardson, Jon (December 21, 2018). "Catching up: Ryle graduate Tanner Morgan is leading a University of Minnesota resurgence". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  7. ^ "Tanner Morgan – Football". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  8. ^ Greder (September 29, 2019). "Gophers' Tanner Morgan sets Big Ten record in 38-31 win over Purdue". TwinCities.com. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  9. ^ "Tanner Morgan College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  10. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Tanner Morgan College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "Ex-Gophers QB Tanner Morgan taken 8th overall in USFL draft". si.com. February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  12. ^ "Steelers agree to terms with undrafted free agents". Steelers.com. April 30, 2023.
  13. ^ Varley, Teresa (August 28, 2023). "Steelers make additional roster moves". Steelers.com.
  14. ^ "Vikings Sign T Hakeem Adeniji to Active Roster; Add QB Tanner Morgan to Practice Squad". Vikings.com. October 5, 2023.
  15. ^ "Vikings Release QB Tanner Morgan from Practice Squad". Vikings.com. October 10, 2023.
  16. ^ "Former Gophers QB Tanner Morgan Returns to Vikings Practice Squad". Vikings.com. November 8, 2023.
  17. ^ "Vikings Release QB Tanner Morgan from Practice Squad". Vikings.com. November 10, 2023.
  18. ^ "Tanner Morgan, Mariano Sori-Marin return to Gophers as volunteer analysts". startribune.com. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Doering, Joshua (November 11, 2019). "Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan praising God while leading undefeated Gophers". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  20. ^ "Father of Gophers QB Tanner Morgan dies of brain tumor". FOX 9. July 14, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
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