Patrick McMorris Bio
Patrick Allen McMorris is an American professional football safety currently playing in the National Football League (NFL). After a productive college career split between the San Diego State Aztecs and the California Golden Bears, he entered the league with the Miami Dolphins and has since worked his way through several practice squads before landing with the San Francisco 49ers. A two-time First-team All-Mountain West Conference selection, McMorris has built his reputation as a reliable defensive back with a strong tackling presence and a knack for creating turnovers.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Allen McMorris was born on October 18, 2001, in Santa Ana, California. He grew up in the same Orange County community where he would eventually become a local football standout, shaped by a family that valued athletics and competition.
He attended Godinez Fundamental High School in Santa Ana, where he emerged as one of the top players on the roster. As a junior, he helped Godinez win an Orange Coast League title before transferring to Santa Ana High School for his senior season. During that final high school campaign, he ran 141 times for 1,801 yards and 23 touchdowns while also contributing 99 tackles on defense, finishing his prep career as a three-star recruit.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school as a three-star defensive back recruit, McMorris committed to play college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. He chose a Mountain West Conference program known for developing defensive talent, setting the stage for a steady climb up the depth chart during his early years in the secondary.
After three seasons in San Diego, McMorris decided to use his remaining eligibility at a Power Five program, transferring to the California Golden Bears for the 2023 season. The move gave him a stronger platform against top-tier competition and an opportunity to showcase his coverage and tackling skills in front of NFL scouts, eventually leading to an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine and the Hula Bowl all-star game.
Patrick McMorris Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
McMorris appeared in nine games as a true freshman at San Diego State in 2019, posting one tackle while adjusting to the college game. He then played seven games in 2020, including one start, and totaled 10 tackles with a pass breakup, showing enough promise to push for a starting role the following season.
He won that starting job in 2021 and never looked back. He started all 14 games, led the team with 90 tackles and four interceptions, and added nine pass breakups on his way to First-team All-Mountain West Conference honors. He repeated as a First-team All-Mountain West selection in 2022, recording 61 tackles, six pass breakups, and an interception while serving as a team captain.
California Golden Bears (2023)
McMorris transferred to the California Golden Bears for the 2023 season, finishing second on the team with 90 tackles while also adding two fumble recoveries and an interception. His production against a demanding Pac-12 schedule reinforced his draft stock heading into his senior year.
He closed out his college career having appeared in 55 games with 40 starts, amassing 252 tackles, 23 pass breakups, and six interceptions across his stops at San Diego State and California. Those numbers, along with his Hula Bowl invitation, helped position him as a Day 3 prospect in the 2024 NFL draft.
NFL Journey (2024–Present)
McMorris was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round, 198th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, before being activated on November 26. He recorded his first career NFL tackle during his rookie season with the Dolphins before being waived as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025.
On August 28, 2025, McMorris was signed to the New York Giants practice squad, then released on September 16. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on September 23, was released on October 8, re-signed on December 16, and released again on December 24. He returned to the New York Giants practice squad on December 26 and signed a reserve/future contract on January 5, 2026, before being released on April 6. On April 28, 2026, McMorris signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he continues his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
McMorris plays a physical, downhill style at safety, relying on sure tackling and sound run support rather than elite straight-line speed. His experience as a high school running back gives him an offensive player’s perspective on angles and pursuit, while his three years as a Mountain West starter and one Pac-12 season sharpened his coverage instincts. He has shown the consistency coaches look for in a rotational defensive back, particularly in tackling efficiency and pass breakup production.
Notable Events and Milestones
His two First-team All-Mountain West selections in 2021 and 2022 stand as the headline collegiate awards of his career. He was a 198th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, recorded his first NFL tackle as a rookie with the Miami Dolphins, and most recently signed with the San Francisco 49ers on April 28, 2026, marking his latest opportunity to compete for a roster spot.
Patrick McMorris Career Wins
As an active defensive player whose professional career is still in its early stages, McMorris’s individual win totals are limited. His clearest on-field milestones remain tied to team results and personal statistical achievements rather than head-to-head victories, and his practice-squad movement across several organizations highlights how rosters can shift quickly in today’s NFL.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, McMorris helped Godinez Fundamental High School win an Orange Coast League title during his junior season. His college statistical totals, including 252 tackles, 23 pass breakups, and six interceptions across 55 career games, mark him as one of the more productive defensive backs of his San Diego State and California classes.
Patrick McMorris Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
McMorris is the son of Patrick McMorris and Lucy Guerrero. He grew up around athletics, with older brothers who also competed in college sports, helping shape his competitive foundation.
Personal Life
His brother, Malik, was a student athlete in the Cal football program for four seasons from 2015 to 2018 and a member of the Golden Bears track and field squad during the 2016–2019 campaigns. He also has a brother named Hakim, who was a member of the Cal track and field program for five seasons from 2019 to 2023, reinforcing the family’s strong connection to collegiate athletics.
2025 Season Performance
McMorris began the 2025 season still listed on the Miami Dolphins roster before being waived as part of final cuts on August 26, 2025. From there, his year turned into a series of practice-squad stops, beginning with the New York Giants on August 28, where he was released on September 16 after a brief stint with the organization.
He quickly caught on with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on September 23, was released on October 8, and was brought back for a second stint on December 16 before another release on December 24. He then returned to the New York Giants practice squad on December 26, signing a reserve/future contract on January 5, 2026, before being released on April 6.
The frequent movement through practice squads reflects a competitive battle for roster spots across the league and kept McMorris ready to contribute whenever called upon. With a new opportunity signed on April 28, 2026, with the San Francisco 49ers, his focus shifts toward earning a stable role in a veteran secondary and building on his First-team All-Mountain West foundation.