KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For former Oklahoma offensive tackle Wanya Morris, Friday turned into one sweet day, even though his time with the Sooners has reached the end of the road.
After swinging a trade with AFC arch nemesis Cincinnati to move up three spots late in the third round, the Kansas City Chiefs came on bended knee to select Morris with the 92nd overall pick during the 2023 NFL Draft outside Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.
While it may be hard to say goodbye to his college career, the Chiefs, who needed reinforcements at offensive tackle after losing both of last year’s starters in free agency, are banking that the water hasn’t run dry on Morris’ talent.
Morris — named after Boyz II Men founding member, Wanyá Morris — hopes to make sweet harmony with his new Chiefs teammates, who are coming off a second Super Bowl victory and third appearance in the last four seasons.
Morris’ mother and aunt were debating baby names. It was between Faison and Wanya.
“My auntie was like, ‘Wanyá, because his last name is Morris and I think that would be pretty cool to name him Wanya,’ so that’s just how that fell out,” Morris said.
Morris said his favorite Boyz II Men song is “Motownphilly.”
“That’s my jam,” he said.
To recap, Kansas City lost one former Oklahoma offensive tackle in free agency (Orlando Brown Jr.) then traded with the team who signed him (Cincinnati) to nab a new Sooners offensive tackle (Morris) after a third-round trade.
“Big, long, athletic guy that will get in the mix there at tackle,” Chiefs Assistant General Manager Mike Borgonzi said. “He played right tackle at Oklahoma and he played left tackle next to Trey there at Tennessee. He’s got all the tools
The Chiefs shipped a sixth-round compensatory pick, No. 217 overall, to the Bengals to move up three spots to nab Morris — a 6-foot-5, 307-pound raw but athletic prospect, who should compete for the right tackle job.
Morris played alongside Chiefs right guard Trey Smith at Tennessee, where he spent his first two seasons, before transferring to Oklahoma to finish his college career.
Morris’ 85-inch wingspan is among the longest in the draft class. He played both left and right tackle in college, but may fit better on the right side, where he played last fall with the Sooners.
“I think my versatility speaks for itself ... but I’m going to play wherever they need me to play,” Morris said.
Morris played alongside Chiefs right guard Trey Smith at Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma to finish his college career.
“He was one of the first people who called before I got the pick, man,” Morris said.
He said Smith’s advice was to join the Chiefs with no expectations and ready to work.
“That’s what I’m fitting to do,” Morris said. “Chief Nation, I’m ready. Let’s do it.”
Borgonzi said Smith “was kind of like a big brother to him at Tennessee.”
Morris’ 85-inch wingspan is among the longest in the draft class. He played both left and right tackle in college, but may fit better on the right side, where he played last fall with the Sooners.
With the pick, Kansas City has addressed arguably its three biggest areas of need — defensive line, wide receiver and offensive tackle in the first two days of the draft.
