Dan Morgan Daniel Thomas Morgan , Jr . ( born December 19 , 1978 ) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League ( NFL ) for seven seasons . He played college football for the University of Miami , was recognized as an All - American , and won multiple national awards . The Carolina Panthers chose him in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft , and he earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 . He currently is the Assistant Director of Pro Personnel for the Seattle Seahawks . Early years . Morgan was born in Clifton Heights , Pennsylvania . He grew up playing football for the Clifton Heights Rams of the Bert Bell Football League near Philadelphia . After playing freshman football at Upper Darby High School in Upper Darby Township , Pennsylvania , Morgan attended J . P . Taravella High School in Coral Springs , Florida . As a senior , he was an all - county pick at tailback , linebacker , and strong safety for the Taravella Trojans . As a junior tailback , he rushed for 1 , 322 yards and 13 touchdown s . College career . Morgan attended the University of Miami , and played for the Miami Hurricanes football team from 1997 to 2000 . He began his college career playing as a fullback , but was switched to weakside linebacker one week before the season started . He became the first freshman linebacker to start for the Hurricanes since Ray Lewis in 1993 . As a freshman , he was named second - team freshman All - American by the " Sporting News " after posting 105 tackles , three sacks , and one forced fumble . As a sophomore , he became the first sophomore team captain in team history , and made the All - Big East Team , after leading the team with 150 tackles . He was a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Nagurski Trophy as a junior , and was rewarded with a second - team All - Big East for collecting 139 tackles and 5 sacks . He finally captured both awards , as well as the Bednarik Award , becoming the first player in NCAA history to win all three awards in a career ( and the same year ) . He was recognized as a first - team All - Big East selection , the Big East Defensive Player of the Year , and a unanimous first - team All - American in 2000 . Upon graduating , Morgan held the Hurricanes ' team and Big East conference records for most career tackles with 532 . Morgan was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame at the 43rd Annual Induction Banquet in 2011 . Professional career . Carolina Panthers . Dan Morgan was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round , with the 11th overall selection , in the 2001 NFL Draft . In the 2001 season , he started 11 games at weakside and strongside linebacker , posting 75 tackles , 1 sack , 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery . His second season , Morgan helped turn the Panthers from the worst defense in the 2001 NFL season to the second - ranked defense , becoming the first team to make such an improvement in one season . Morgan was also an integral part of the Panthers defense that led the team to Super Bowl XXXVIII , where he posted a total of 25 tackles ( 18 solo , 7 assists ) . For the 2004 NFL season , he collected 109 tackles , two interceptions , two fumble recoveries and five sacks en route to being named the starting linebacker for the NFC in the 2004 Pro Bowl . In the 2005 NFL season , he was second on the team in tackles , behind Marlon McCree . On November 6 , 2007 , Morgan was placed on injured reserve by the Panthers due to an ankle injury . The Panthers eventually released him on February 11 , 2008 . New Orleans Saints . Morgan was signed by the New Orleans Saints for the 2008 season . However on May 19 , 2008 , Morgan announced his retirement from the NFL , citing the slow recovery of injuries , particularly a partially torn Achilles tendon suffered during the 2007 season . After sitting out the 2008 season , Morgan confirmed on January 26 , 2009 that he had filed reinstatement papers with the NFL and expected to rejoin the New Orleans Saints ; Morgan stated that he was completely healthy and ready to play . He was reinstated on February 12 . Morgan worked out with the Saints through the off - season , but he strained his calf muscle during a minicamp practice on June 5 , 2009 . On June 8 , Morgan ' s agent , Drew Rosenhaus , announced that Morgan had informed the Saints that he would retire for the second time due to his continued injuries . Career statistics . Regular season Playoffs