BuccaneersFan.com • Player Spotlight • Tampa Bay No. 21
Current official roster portrait: Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cornerback • Second NFL season
From Notre Dame’s secondary to Tampa Bay
Benjamin Morrison
- Born
- March 11, 2004 • Age 22
- Hometown
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Listed size
- 6 feet • 190 pounds
- High school
- Brophy College Preparatory • Phoenix, Arizona
- College
- University of Notre Dame • 2022–2024
- NFL Draft
- 2025 • Round 2 • Pick 53 • Tampa Bay
- Jersey
- No. 21
- Current status
- Active roster • As of November 3, 2026
Sources: official Buccaneers profile, 2026 team media guide, Notre Dame biography and current roster.
Sources: the football journey, the Clemson performance and Notre Dame records. NFL statistics are through November 1, 2026.
For the Krewe, Benjamin Morrison brings the appeal of a cornerback who can turn coverage into an opportunity for his whole team. Tampa Bay’s draft evaluation emphasized his ability to play man and zone, work inside or outside and handle different techniques. That versatility brought the Notre Dame defender to the Buccaneers in 2025. Tampa Bay’s draft assessment.
Phoenix → South Bend → Tampa Bay
A cornerback’s path to the Krewe
Phoenix beginnings Brophy College Preparatory.
At Brophy, Morrison contributed as both a cornerback and kick returner, earning first-team All-Region recognition at both positions in 2021. He finished his senior season with 53 tackles and two interceptions before heading from Arizona to Notre Dame. His official college biography.
A freshman breakthrough Notre Dame, 2022.
His first college season produced six interceptions, all in the final six games. Three came against Boston College, matching Notre Dame’s single-game record. The late-season burst made him a national name while he was still learning the college game. The university’s freshman-season review.
The call from Tampa Bay Second round, 53rd overall.
The Buccaneers selected Morrison on April 25, 2025. A hip injury requiring surgery had ended his final Notre Dame season after six games. Tampa Bay nevertheless valued the talent it had seen on film and used its second-round choice to bring him into the secondary. The selection announcement.
Recognition along the way
Freshman All-American A season of takeaways.
The Football Writers Association of America selected Morrison to its freshman All-America team after the 2022 season. His six interceptions led all FBS first-year players. The Clemson performance also earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week recognition. Notre Dame’s honors announcement.
Recognition and responsibility Notre Dame honors.
He became a Thorpe Award semifinalist in 2023 and a team captain in 2024. Notre Dame also lists its 2023 Knute Rockne Student-Athlete Engagement Award among his honors, adding recognition beyond his defensive statistics. His official honors record.
November 5, 2022 • Clemson at Notre Dame
Ninety-six yards that announced his arrival
A freshman makes his mark
96
YARDS • INTERCEPTION RETURN TOUCHDOWN
Notre Dame 35 • Clemson 14
Two interceptions on one memorable night.
On November 5, 2022, Notre Dame hosted unbeaten, fifth-ranked Clemson. Late in the third quarter, Morrison intercepted Cade Klubnik for the first pick of his college career. The takeaway gave the Irish a short field, and Audric Estime finished the possession with a two-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame led 21–0. The official game recap.
Clemson then drove close to the Irish end zone with DJ Uiagalelei back at quarterback. Morrison intercepted him near the goal line and raced 96 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 28–0. One interception had helped the offense score; the next put Morrison in the end zone himself. He finished with two interceptions and seven tackles in Notre Dame’s 35–14 victory. The two-turnover performance.
Tampa Bay • 2025–2026
Building his Buccaneers career
Morrison’s rookie season included recovery work and seven missed games, but it ended with his first three NFL starts in the final three games. Tampa Bay’s coaches saw progress in both his movement and his understanding of the defense as he prepared for year two. The team’s May 2026 review.
In the 2026 opener against Cincinnati, he stepped in after Jacob Parrish left the game. Morrison recorded four tackles, including one for loss; the Buccaneers reported that he allowed no reception in coverage. His contribution included open-field tackles that limited opportunities after the catch. The September 16 performance review.
Through November 1, 2026, he had made five appearances with one start. After missing Weeks 4–6, he returned for special-teams duty in Weeks 7–8. Those appearances added to his season total without defensive snaps in either game. Week 7 gamebook; Week 8 gamebook.
The person behind No. 21
Family, purpose and life beyond football
Morrison’s NFL journey carries a family connection to his head coach. His father, Darryl Morrison, played safety for Washington for four seasons and was Todd Bowles’s teammate in 1993. Years later, Bowles became Benjamin’s coach in Tampa. Benjamin also learned from his father’s friend and former teammate, Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green. His football education therefore included people who understood the demands of the position firsthand. The Buccaneers’ family-background feature.
A family of athletes Different sports, shared dedication.
Notre Dame lists four siblings who competed in college: Faith in gymnastics at Washington, Samuel in football at Arizona, Grace in volleyball at Appalachian State and Naomi in gymnastics at Michigan. Benjamin’s path to the NFL grew out of a household with sporting experience well beyond football. The family’s athletic background.
Perspective through setbacks Faith and a teammate’s support.
In August 2026, Morrison described how rehabilitation had deepened his appreciation for playing. He credited his faith and Vita Vea’s encouragement with helping him keep setbacks in perspective. His account acknowledged the frustration of missed time while emphasizing patience, mental preparation and making the most of the next opportunity. Morrison’s account of Vea’s mentorship.
Academic focus Business analytics.
At Notre Dame, Morrison pursued business analytics, the academic major listed in Tampa Bay’s 2026 media guide.
NFL regular season • Tampa Bay, 2025–2026
The Buccaneers career record
Morrison’s two NFL seasons are with Tampa Bay, 2025–2026. The asterisk marks the incomplete 2026 season, through November 1, Week 8. Defensive and special-teams tackles are identified separately. Preseason and postseason are excluded from regular-season totals.
| Season | G | GS | DEF Solo | DEF Ast | DEF TKL | ST TKL | TFL | Sacks | QB hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 3 | 19 | 7 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2026* | 5 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 |
| NFL career | 15 | 4 | 28 | 9 | 37 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 |
G = games played; GS = starts; DEF = defense; ST = special teams. DEF Solo + DEF Ast = DEF TKL. His regular-season career contains 28 solo + nine assisted = 37 defensive tackles, plus zero special-teams tackles. TFL = tackles for loss; QB hits = quarterback hits.
The 2025 figure is 26 defensive tackles, as recorded in the complete printed game log and career table. A website career view lists 25 and has a stale current game count; the original guide and 2026 gamebooks establish the totals used here.
Sources: 2026 Buccaneers media guide, PDF p. 187 (printed p. 185) and the eight current gamebooks linked below.
Pass defense and takeaways
| Season | PD | INT | FF | FR | FR YDS | FR TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026* | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFL career | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
PD = official passes defended, including interceptions; INT = interceptions; FF = forced fumbles; FR = recoveries of opponents’ fumbles. FR YDS/TD = fumble-recovery return yards and touchdowns. The career line contains six PD and one recovery. No NFL interception or forced fumble is credited through the cutoff.
Sources: the printed 2025 record, the official recovery and return categories and current gamebooks. The recovery produced no return yards or touchdown.
NFL postseason
Morrison has no NFL postseason appearances through the cutoff. Tampa Bay missed the playoffs after his 2025 rookie season; the 2026 season is still in progress. The team’s January 5, 2026 season-ending report.
September 13–November 1, 2026
Appearances and availability through Week 8
| Week | Date | Opponent | TB result | Role / status | G | GS | DEF snaps | ST snaps | DEF Solo | DEF Ast | DEF TKL | ST TKL | TFL | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 13 | @CIN | L 27–33 | Reserve | 1 | 0 | 43 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Sep 20 | CLE | L 19–23 | Starter | 1 | 1 | 58 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Sep 27 | MIN | L 16–23 | Reserve | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Oct 4 | GB | L 14–17 | Inactive — quad | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | Oct 8 | @DAL | W 24–16 | Inactive — quad | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | Oct 18 | PIT | L 19–26 (OT) | Inactive — quad | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | Oct 25 | @CAR | W 43–13 | Special teams only | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Nov 1 | ATL | W 16–0 | Special teams only | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 total | Through Nov 1 | Tampa Bay | — | 5 appearances / 3 inactive | 5 | 1 | 102 | 36 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Weeks 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 are actual appearances. He started in Week 2, was inactive with a quad injury in Weeks 4–6, and returned for special teams only in Weeks 7–8. The highlighted row is his start. A dash marks an inactive week; a zero marks an actual appearance without credit in that category.
Across the five appearances: 11 defensive tackles, one TFL and two PD, with no special-teams tackle, sack, quarterback hit, interception, forced fumble or recovery. He played 102 defensive snaps and 36 special-teams snaps. The NFL gamebooks label their playtime reports unofficial.
Results are from Tampa Bay’s perspective; @ = away; OT = overtime. CIN = Cincinnati; CLE = Cleveland; MIN = Minnesota; GB = Green Bay; DAL = Dallas; PIT = Pittsburgh; CAR = Carolina; ATL = Atlanta.
Original gamebooks: Week 1 · Week 2 · Week 3 · Week 4 · Week 5 · Week 6 · Week 7 · Week 8. Injury context: Week 4 report, Week 5 report, Week 6 preview and Week 7 return update.
University of Notre Dame • 2022–2024
Three seasons with the Fighting Irish
The tables cover Morrison’s three Notre Dame playing seasons, 2022–2024. His Gator Bowl and Sun Bowl appearances are already included. Six games in 2024 preceded his season-ending hip injury; he did not play in that season’s College Football Playoff games.
| Season | G | GS | Solo | Ast | TKL | TFL | TFL YDS | Sacks | Sack YDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 11 | 33 | 1.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 12 | 11 | 25 | 6 | 31 | 3.5 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 20 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Notre Dame career | 31 | 26 | 61 | 23 | 84 | 4.5 | 12 | 0.0 | 0 |
G = games played; GS = starts; Solo + Ast = TKL. TFL = tackles for loss, including sacks; YDS = credited yards lost. The original university records total 61 solo + 23 assisted = 84 career tackles. They do not supply a separate defensive-versus-special-teams tackle split.
Original final defensive records: 2022 (PDF p. 6) · 2023 (PDF p. 8) · 2024 (PDF p. 6). The university career record, PDF p. 70 independently reconciles the totals. These original Notre Dame records resolve inconsistent college figures in later professional-team biographies.
College pass defense and interception returns
| Season | PBU | INT | PD | INT YDS | INT AVG | INT LNG | INT TD | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 97 | 16.2 | 96 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 14 | 4.7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Notre Dame career | 18 | 9 | 27 | 111 | 12.3 | 96 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
PBU = pass breakups, excluding interceptions. PD = passes defended, derived as PBU + INT: 18 + nine = 27 for his college career. INT YDS/AVG/LNG/TD = interception-return yards, average, longest return and touchdowns. The weighted career return average is 111 ÷ 9 = 12.3 yards.
The 96-yard long is a maximum. A dash means no interception occurred in that season. His one interception-return touchdown is the Clemson score. FF/FR = forced fumbles and recoveries; both are zero. The final university records also credit no sack, quarterback hurry, blocked kick or safety.
Original return records: 2022 (PDF p. 4) · 2023 (PDF p. 16); the final annual defensive tables above supply PBU and other impact categories. The Clemson gamebook, PDF p. 2 records two returns totaling 97 yards, including the 96-yard touchdown.
His actual bowl appearances
| Season | Date | Bowl | Opponent | ND result | G | GS | Solo | Ast | TKL | TFL | PBU | INT | INT YDS | INT LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dec 30, 2022 | Gator Bowl | South Carolina | W 45–38 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Dec 29, 2023 | Sun Bowl | Oregon State | W 40–8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 14 |
| Bowl subset | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0.5 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 14 |
Morrison started both games: the 2022 Gator Bowl win over South Carolina and 2023 Sun Bowl win over Oregon State. The Gator Bowl interception had no return gain; the Sun Bowl interception gained 14 yards. His shared Sun Bowl tackle for loss was credited as 0.5 TFL for two yards.
Both interceptions and all five bowl tackles are already included in his annual and career totals. These two games produced no sack, PBU, forced fumble, recovery or defensive touchdown. Results are from Notre Dame’s perspective.
Original gamebooks: Gator Bowl, defensive table on PDF p. 4 and Sun Bowl, defensive table on PDF p. 4. Return records are on PDF p. 2 and starting lineups on PDF p. 5 of each.
Sources & statistical notes
The records behind the spotlight
- Identity and college: Buccaneers profile, 2026 media guide and Notre Dame biography.
- Draft and family: selection announcement and family-background feature.
- Featured performance and honors: Clemson recap and FWAA announcement.
- Recent development: year-two review, 2026 opener analysis and Vita Vea mentorship interview.
- NFL statistics: Tampa Bay’s 2026 media guide, original final gamebooks for all eight completed 2026 team games, official injury reports and the team’s 2025 season-ending report. Participation, tackle phases and the rookie tackle discrepancy are explained beside the tables.
- College statistics: Notre Dame’s final 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual records, individual career record, and original Clemson, Gator Bowl and Sun Bowl gamebooks. Annual totals already include his two actual bowl appearances.
- Portrait: the current official Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster image.
Updated November 3, 2026. NFL regular-season statistics stop after November 1, Week 8; preseason is excluded. The college bowl appearances are subsets already included in Notre Dame’s annual and career totals. Pass breakups exclude interceptions; passes defended include them. Longest returns are maxima, not sums.