Pitt center Jimmy Morrissey joins Raiders as 7th-round draft choice

Only five years ago, Jimmy Morrissey was a walk-on at Pitt, hoping to earn a scholarship.

Now, he’s in the NFL.

After starting as Pitt’s center for four seasons, serving as co-captain for the last two and earning All-ACC honors the last three, Morrissey (6-foot-3, 303 pounds) received the call Saturday — he was chosen in the seventh round (No. 230 overall) by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Walk-on → Captain → Raider#RaiderNation X @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/XSNexCFboF

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 1, 2021

Morrissey was the sixth Pitt player drafted over two days, the most for the Panthers since the 2004 six-man group was led by Larry Fitzgerald.

Several months ago, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi was speaking about Morrissey in general terms, but it’s a message Raiders coach Jon Gruden, a former Pitt assistant, might appreciate hearing today.

“What makes Jimmy such a great football player and a leader is his ability to gather people together and everyone will want to play for him,” Narduzzi said. “He’s tough, athletic, smart.”

Aside from the Burlsworth Trophy awarded to him as the nation’s top player who began as a walk-on, Morrissey carried a 3.46 grade-point average when he left Pitt.

He wasn’t initially invited to the Senior Bowl, but he received a call the day before and drove from Pensacola Beach, Fla. (where he was training), to Mobile, Ala., studied the playbook overnight and played in the game.

Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett noticed that type of determination repeatedly during their time together at Pitt.

“He’s a guy who was in first, out last,” Pickett said.

The only difference now is he’ll get paid for it.

After winning the Burlsworth Trophy, he said, “I’m happy I believed in myself.”