Patriots Sign Former Pitt DE John Morgan
The New England Patriots signed former Pitt Panthers defensive end John Morgan as a UDFA.
Pittsburgh John Morgan III, a former defensive end for the Pitt Panthers, was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the intention of playing football at the next level.
From 2018 to 22, Morgan played for the Panthers for five seasons, starting eight of those games in 53 appearances. Along with 14 sacks, two passes defended, three forced fumbles, 73 tackles (45 solo), and 23 tackles for loss were all made by him.
After wearing his redshirt for the first three games of the season, he participated in all 28 games the following three seasons, first starting three games in 2021 as a reserve defensive end and then playing in all 28 games the following three seasons.
His redshirt junior season in 2021 was his best season statistically, playing in all 14 games, making 26 tackles (17 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one pass defended and one forced fumble. Pitt won the ACC Championship that season and his forced fumble came in the Peach Bowl against Michigan State, which linebacker Cam Bright ran in for a touchdown.
Morgan played all 12 regular season games, including five starts, in 2022, as he accrued 19 tackles (11 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, eighth best in the ACC.
He then transferred to Arkansas in 2023 for his sixth and final collegiate season. He played in 11 games, making 15 tackles (eight solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one pass defended and one forced fumble.