Daniel McMorris

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-5, 255 lbs. Taller than 12% and heavier than 4% of 2026 Offensive Tackle prospects in the SEC Scouts database (182 with a listed size).

Play Style

McMorris plays like a modern athletic left tackle. He sets from a wide base, uses his feet and length to widen rushers' paths around the edge, and relies on lateral movement instead of overwhelming power. He's most comfortable in pass protection and in movement run schemes (zone steps, reaching and sealing the edge, working to the second level), where his mobility matters more than mass. Norman North's 2025 offense scored 43 or more points in three straight wins (Sept. 19–Oct. 3) with him protecting the edge. On film the concerns are typical for a lean high school tackle: he can get pushed back by stronger defenders and doesn't yet finish drive blocks with authority.

Strengths

• Pass-protection foot quickness: his lateral agility and fluid kick-slide let him mirror speed rushers off the edge, the core trait that puts him in the 247 top-15 OT group (No. 11 at signing)
• Length and frame: excellent arm length on a 6-5/6-6 frame means he can land the first punch and keep edge rushers off his body, with room for 40+ pounds
• Recruiting validation across the region: 20+ offers including Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Kansas State, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Stanford and Minnesota. In-state Oklahoma made him a real priority before he chose Cal
• Athletic, still-growing profile: he's added weight quickly over his high school career without losing movement, which suggests he can take on more mass in a college strength program

Areas to Improve

• Weight and play strength: he needs to get from about 265 to 295-305 with good functional strength before he can hold up against power rushers and bull rushes. This is the main thing between him and meaningful snaps
• Run-game drive power and anchor: as a lighter tackle he wins by position and angles more than by moving defenders. He needs better pad level, hip roll and a sturdier anchor against two-gap defensive ends and down blocks
• Hand technique and consistency: like most high school tackles who won on athleticism, he needs to refine punch timing, hand placement and his counters to inside moves before facing college-level rush plans

College Projection

He's already enrolled at Cal as a true freshman (No. 55). Under current redshirt rules he's more likely to play a few games late in 2026, or on special teams, than to start. The realistic path is a development year in 2026 focused on weight and strength, a push for the two-deep in 2027 at around 295-300, and a real chance to start at tackle in 2028. If his strength develops faster than expected, he could compete for a starting tackle spot as a redshirt freshman. If the weight comes slowly, he'll stay a swing tackle longer.

NFL Outlook

As a 247 top-15 OT with a tackle frame, length and edge movement, he has a legitimate Day 2–Day 3 NFL draft ceiling if he reaches about 305-315 pounds without losing athleticism. NFL teams will look first at his frame and movement, which he already has. What decides it is whether he adds strength and anchor over 3–4 years of college development. The likely range is a mid-to-late-round tackle prospect, with a higher ceiling if he becomes a multi-year left tackle starter in the ACC.

Best Fit

A zone-heavy or spread offense that uses his lateral movement in space and asks him to protect the edge instead of winning with power, with a patient strength staff that lets him redshirt or rotate while he adds 30-40 pounds. Cal fits well: OL coach Famika Anae's relationship was a major reason he chose Cal, and the program's need for tackles gives him a clear path once he's physically ready.