Former Marana standout Jordan Morgan, who went on to start 37 games over five seasons at Arizona, became the fourth player from Southern Arizona to become a first-round selection of the NFL draft when the Green Bay Packers selected him as the No. 25 pick overall Thursday night.
Morgan, a two-time All-Pac-12 selection, joins former Salpointe running back Bijan Robinson (No. 8 overall by Atlanta Falcons in 2023), Tucson High defensive tackle Mike Dawson (No. 22 by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976) and Salpointe offensive tackle John Fina (No. 27 by the Buffalo Bills in 1992) as local first-round picks.
With the 25th pick in the 2024 #NFLDraft, the #Packers select OL Jordan Morgan from the University of Arizona!@amfam | #PackersDraft pic.twitter.com/rLPqDLOOKZ
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 26, 2024
According to Pro Football Focus, Morgan allowed only 14 pressures and just one sack last season for the Wildcats, who finished 10-3. He was graded high by NFL scouts as pass protector and run blocker.
Morgan (6-foot-5, 311 pounds) is a Class of 2019 Marana graduate who is 22 years old.
The Packers reportedly need to improve the depth and competition along the offensive line.
Morgan will likely be one of the team’s top offensive tackles and guards in fall camp, with a potential starting spot at right guard.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Morgan as the No. 29 overall player and the No. 2 offensive guard in the class.
The Packers want to protect relatively new franchise quarterback Jordan Love for years to come and drafting Morgan addresses that objective.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA FIRST-ROUND PICKS
NFL
No. 8 – 2023: RB Bijan Robinson, Salpointe (Atlanta Falcons)
No. 22 – 1976: DT Mike Dawson, Tucson High (St. Louis Cardinals)
N0. 25 – 2024: OT Jordan Morgan, Marana (Green Bay Packers)
No. 27 – 1992: OT John Fina, Salpointe (Buffalo Bills)
So proud of Jordan Morgan being able to continue his dream!!!! Keep playing big my man!!!!! @MaranaFB @ArizonaFBall GO PACK GO!!!!! pic.twitter.com/5QZDOn6X3Y
— Andy Litten (@litten_andy) April 26, 2024
MLB
No. 7 – 2020: SS Nick Gonzales, Cienega (Pittsburgh Pirates)
No. 7 – 1982: SS Sam Khalifa, Sahuaro (Pittsburgh Pirates)
No. 9 – 1965: INF Eddie Leon, Tucson (Minnesota Twins/did not sign)
No. 15 – 2003: CF Brian Anderson, Canyon del Oro (Chicago White Sox)
June Secondary Draft
No. 3 – 1966: INF Eddie Leon, Tucson (Chicago Cubs/did not sign)
No. 10 – 1984: INF Ramon Rosthenhausler, Sunnyside (Detroit Tigers)
No. 16 – 1976: RHP Don Hanna, Rincon/University (Montreal Expos)
No. 26 – 1983: INF Ramon Rosthenhausler, Sunnyside (Texas Rangers/did not sign)
January Regular Draft
No. 16 – 1984: RHP Gil Heredia, Nogales (Pittsburgh Pirates/did not sign)
January Secondary Draft
No. 11 – 1984: INF Ramon Rosthenhausler, Sunnyside (Seattle Mariners/did not sign)
NBA
No. 3 — 1989: SF Sean Elliott, Cholla (San Antonio Spurs)
No. 11 — 1982: PG Lafayette Lever, Pueblo (Denver Nuggets)
NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH SOFTBALL
No. 2 – 2010: UTIL Molly Johnson, Sabino (Tennessee Diamonds)
No. 4 – 2014: RHP Estela Piñon, Sunnyside (Chicago Bandits)
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator in 2016 and is presently a special education teacher at Sunnyside High School in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
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