James David Morrissey IV Bio
James David Morrissey IV is an American professional football center for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 9, 1998, in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, Morrissey carved an unconventional path to the NFL. Despite being lightly recruited out of high school with no NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision offers, he enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh as a preferred walk-on. Morrissey’s determination and performance earned him a scholarship and eventually made him one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Panthers history. The Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he has since built a steady professional career with multiple teams, currently anchoring the Colts’ offensive line.
Early Life and Background
Morrissey grew up in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, where he attended La Salle College High School. During his high school career, he established himself as a talented offensive lineman, earning All-Philadelphia Catholic League honors as both a junior and a senior. In his senior year, he also received All-City recognition from the Philadelphia Daily News, solidifying his reputation as one of the top linemen in the Philadelphia area. Despite these accolades, Morrissey received limited interest from major college programs and did not attract any Division I FBS offers.
Facing a crossroads in his football career, Morrissey chose to continue his academic and athletic pursuits at the University of Pittsburgh. He selected Pitt over offers from Lehigh, Bucknell, and Colgate, enrolling as a preferred walk-on. This decision would prove pivotal, as it set the foundation for his eventual rise to professional football.
Path to the NFL
Morrissey’s journey from walk-on to NFL player represents one of the most remarkable stories in modern college football. He joined the Pittsburgh Panthers football team as a preferred walk-on and redshirted his true freshman season, using that year to develop physically and learn the playbook. His dedication did not go unnoticed, and going into his redshirt freshman year, he was named the team’s starting center and awarded a scholarship—a testament to his work ethic and talent.
As a redshirt freshman starter, Morrissey started all 12 of the team’s games and quickly established himself as a dominant force along the offensive line. His redshirt sophomore season began with similar promise, as he started the first 11 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Despite the injury, his performance earned him third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. He bounced back stronger in his redshirt junior year, earning first-team All-ACC recognition. His redshirt senior season was his most decorated, as he started all 11 games, earned second-team All-ACC honors, and was awarded the prestigious Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the best player in Division I football who began his college career as a walk-on.
James David Morrissey IV Career
Las Vegas Raiders (2021)
Morrissey’s professional career began when the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 230th overall pick. He signed his four-year rookie contract with Las Vegas on May 17, 2021, officially beginning his NFL journey. The selection represented validation for a player who had defied the odds, transforming from an overlooked high school prospect to a draft pick. However, his time with the Raiders was brief, as he was waived on August 31, 2021, before being re-signed to the practice squad the following day.
Houston Texans (2021–2023)
On October 19, 2021, the Houston Texans signed Morrissey off the Raiders’ practice squad, providing him with a new opportunity. He made his NFL debut on November 7, 2021, stepping onto the field as the team’s starting center in a game against the Miami Dolphins. This debut marked a significant milestone in his career, representing the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. On August 30, 2022, the Texans waived Morrissey before re-signing him to the practice squad the next day. He earned a promotion to the active roster on September 21, 2022, demonstrating his value to the organization. The following year, on August 29, 2023, the Texans again waived Morrissey and re-signed him to the practice squad. After his practice squad contract expired following the season, he became a free agent, having appeared in 15 NFL games with 4 starts across his tenure with Houston.
New York Giants (2024–2025)
Morrissey signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Giants on January 23, 2024, joining another organization and continuing his NFL journey. He spent the 2024 season with the Giants, contributing along their offensive line. On August 27, 2024, New York waived Morrissey before re-signing him to the practice squad. He signed another reserve/future contract with the Giants on January 6, 2025, indicating the team’s continued interest in his services. However, his second stint with New York ended when the Giants waived him on August 23, 2025, making him available for other teams.
Indianapolis Colts (2025–Present)
On September 16, 2025, Morrissey signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career. He was released by the Colts on December 3, 2025, but the organization quickly re-signed him to the practice squad on December 10, 2025, reflecting their assessment of his value and potential contribution. On January 5, 2026, Morrissey signed a reserve/future contract with Indianapolis, securing his place with the team heading into the 2026 season. The Colts currently list Morrissey as their No. 65, serving as the team’s center with an active roster status.
Playing Style and Strengths
Morrissey has established himself as a reliable and versatile offensive lineman throughout his career. His experience as a multi-year starter at Pittsburgh, where he played both center and guard positions, has equipped him with the adaptability that NFL teams value. His technical proficiency, combined with his ability to play through injuries, has enabled him to earn playing time at multiple organizations. His leadership qualities, developed through his unique journey from walk-on to All-ACC performer, bring intangible value to any offensive line room he joins.
James David Morrissey IV Career Wins
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Morrissey has accumulated numerous accolades and accomplishments that highlight his impact at each level. His transition from high school standout to college star to NFL player demonstrates consistent success across different competitive environments.
College Highlights
In college, Morrissey’s accomplishments were substantial. He was named All-ACC three times across his four seasons, earning third-team honors as a redshirt sophomore, first-team recognition as a redshirt junior, and second-team accolades as a redshirt senior. His most prestigious honor came in 2020 when he received the Burlsworth Trophy, recognizing him as the top Division I player who began his college career as a walk-on. This award symbolized his remarkable transformation and served as validation for his unconventional path. He finished his Pittsburgh career having started the vast majority of games across his four seasons, establishing himself as one of the program’s most accomplished offensive linemen.
Professional Accomplishments
In the NFL, Morrissey has appeared in 15 games with 4 starts through the 2025 season. His ability to earn starting opportunities at center demonstrates the trust coaches have placed in his abilities. His journey through four different NFL organizations within his first five seasons showcases his resilience and adaptability, qualities essential for a professional athlete competing for roster spots year after year.
James David Morrissey IV Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Morrissey is married to Nicole Scola as of March 2024. Nicole is the daughter of Michael Scola, founder of Boston Sword & Tuna, a notable seafood company. The couple announced in 2024 that they were expecting their first child together, with the birth anticipated in 2025. Morrissey has maintained a relatively private personal life despite his public career, focusing on his professional pursuits while building his family life alongside his wife.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of transition for Morrissey as he navigated roster changes within the NFL. After beginning the year with the New York Giants, he was waived in August before signing with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad in September. His mid-season addition to the Colts provided him with an opportunity to continue his professional career with a new organization. Throughout the season, Morrissey worked to establish himself within Indianapolis’s offensive line rotation, contributing to the team’s practice squad while maintaining readiness for potential elevation to the active roster. His ability to bounce back from roster moves demonstrates the mental fortitude required to sustain an NFL career, and his signing of a reserve-future contract with the Colts in early 2026 indicates the organization’s interest in his continued development and potential contributions in the upcoming season.