James Morris wins Solon Beef Days hay bale toss

Former Iowa Hawkeye football player James Morris takes a turn during the hay bale toss at Solon Beef Days in downtown Solon on Friday, July 15, 2016. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

July 15, 2016

SOLON — James Morris just earned some major bragging rights.

The former Iowa linebacker and Solon alumnus took home top honors at the popular Solon Beef Days hay bale toss Friday night, defeating competition that included Hawkeye linemen with a throw that cleared 13 feet.

Another former Spartan claimed the women’s award. Shelby Gunnells, a two-time Class 3A shot put state champion who now competes for North Dakota State, defended her title.


✔@ScottWesterberg
Here's James Morris winning the Solon Beef Days hay bale toss at 13-feet.
11:11 PM - 15 Jul 2016

Morris looks for NFL opportunity

From Scott Dochterman's "Morris looks for NFL opportunity"

May 7, 2014


Iowa linebacker James Morris (right) knocks the ball loose from Nebraska quarterback Ron Kellogg III (12) during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, in Lincoln, Neb. The fumble was recovered by Iowa defensive lineman Louis Trinca-Pasat. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

IOWA CITY — James Morris’ on-field accolades at Iowa will earn him an NFL opportunity this weekend. But more than his statistics, it’s his intangibles that will entice an NFL team to offer the former Iowa linebacker a chance of a lifetime.

“All it takes is one team to like him,” said Dan Shonka, general manager and national scout for Ourlads Scouting Services. “You talk to him and you see how smart he is, a lot of teams are really impressed with his intelligence and his instincts on the field.”

Morris is one of several Iowa players vying for a chance at the NFL, which has its draft today through Saturday. Most analysts consider Morris, a former star at Solon and a second-team all-Big Ten linebacker last year, a mid-round pick. Shonka lists Morris as a fifth- or sixth-round selection.

No one questions Morris’ toughness, leadership or his technique. He stands 6 feet and weighs 241 pounds so his body type is comparable to most inside linebackers. But what also stands out for Morris is his intellect. He was named a first-team academic All-American the College Sports Information Directors of America and a National Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation. He carries a 3.84 grade-point-average and will graduate next week.

When you add up 400 career tackles, eight sacks last year, his academic prowess and his leadership, that’s a solid foundation for any organization.

“I feel like I’m a really good football player,” Morris said. “So I think I’ll be able to contribute on the field in a variety of ways, whether that’s special teams or the starting lineup or whatever kind of package there is. Off the field I’m somebody you don’t have to worry about getting in trouble. I feel like I have pretty high character.”

Morris started 42 games at Iowa, mostly at middle linebacker. He may adjust roles depending on what team drafts him along with its scheme.

“Ideally a 3-4 team would like him on the inside,” Shonka said. “I don’t know if he’s got enough mass to be the middle linebacker in a 4-3 in the NFL. But certainly if he plays in those shade-under fronts, and he plays in the 3-4 where he’d be covered up, he’ll be waiting at the path for people. He’s real instinctive and smart and he’ll play on all special teams. Coaches want a guy who can learn quickly and he certainly can do that.

“He’s going to make a team, I’m convinced of that.”

Iowa's Morris and Stribos Earn Big Ten Medal of Honor

The nation's oldest collegiate conference commemorates the 100th anniversary of a very unique tradition - the Big Ten Medal of Honor

May 1, 2014

Rosemont, Ill. -

As the Big Ten continues to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Big Ten Medal of Honor, senior student-athletes James Morris and Marike Stribos were named the 2013-14 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients for the University of Iowa, which were announced at the UI's annual academic and athletic achievement banquet. Morris is a standout on the football team, while Stribos is a member of Iowa’s field hockey team.

The conference's most exclusive award was the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence. The Big Ten Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1915 to one student-athlete from the graduating class of each university who had "attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work."

Big Ten schools currently feature more than 8,200 student-athletes, but only 24 earn this prestigious award on an annual basis. In the 99 years of the Medal of Honor, over 1,300 student-athletes have earned this distinction.

Former Hawkeye field hockey player and Iowa's 1988 female Big Ten Medal of Honor winner Liz Tchou served as the banquet's keynote speaker. Tchou was a four-time All-Big Ten first team selection who led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championship in 1986. She was named first team All-America in 1987 and was selected as a member of the 1987 NCAA All-Tournament team. A two-time Big Ten Conference MVP, she was the first Hawkeye female to have her number retired. Following her Hawkeye career, she played for the U.S. Women's National Team for seven years (1989-93, 1995) and was a member of the 1996 Olympic Team and the 1994 U.S. World Cup team. Tchou was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

Morris, from Solon, Iowa, recently completed his playing career as the Hawkeyes concluded the 2013 season with an 8-5 overall record following their appearance in the 2014 Outback Bowl. He moved into Iowa's starting lineup early in his freshman season and started 42 career games. Morris totaled 400 career tackles, ranking sixth on Iowa's career chart. Morris ranked second on the team with 107 tackles in 2013. He earned second team All-Big Ten honors and was the Iowa recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Morris led the Hawkeyes in sacks (8), tackles for loss (18) and interceptions (4), becoming the first linebacker to lead Iowa in interceptions since the stat was first kept in 1986.

A political science major with a 3.87 grade point average, Morris was named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America first team. He earned a $7,500 NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship and was named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Morris was one of four finalists for the Lott Trophy and one of 12 finalists for the Wuerffel Trophy.

Stribos, who hails from Brussels, Belgium, played in 79 career games, with 76 career starts during her Hawkeye career. She posted 13 goals and 42 points as a midfielder/back. Stribos earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in all three years that she was eligible and has twice earned the Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar Award. A four-time NFHCA National Academic Squad member, she earned NFHCA First Team West Region All-America honors and was a second team All-Big Ten selection as a junior. She is a double major in finance and management with a 3.89 grade point average.