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Seven Things We've Learned About Jimmy Moreland

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As players take their final breaks before training camp, we will take a look back at the new faces from this offseason and what we've learned about them - football and otherwise - so far.

Next up is seventh-round cornerback Jimmy Moreland:

1. Moreland is the all-time interceptions leader at James Madison.

While Moreland mostly played free safety at Royal Palm Beach High in Florida, he dabbled at wide receiver and cornerback as well.

He didn't solidify his role as a cornerback until he settled at James Madison University due to his "love of seeing turnovers." Despite his small stature, the size difference hasn't changed Moreland's mindset.

"When I first started playing football, I knew I was small, but I was very good at what I did," Moreland stated. "Never a doubt in my mind that I was going to be here at this level."

Moreland intercepted 18 passes in college, becoming James Madison's all-time interceptions leader.

In his last year of college, Moreland led the country in pick-sixes (3) and interception return yards (217) while tying for ninth nationally in interceptions (five). He also set a program-record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.

He started all 13 games his final season and was awarded numerous accolades, including Associated Press First Team All-American and Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year.

2. He's the first player drafted from James Madison since 2013.

The first James Madison player drafted into the NFL was wide receiver Gary Clark, who won two Super Bowls with the Redskins after the team drafted him in 1984. Since then, 13 James Madison players made the NFL before the Redskins selected Moreland in this year's seventh round.

Guard Earl Watford, whom the Arizona Cardinals selected in 2013, was the last James Madison alum drafted before Moreland. Watford now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

3. He is one of five Redskins defensive backs born in Florida.

Moreland hails from Royal Palm Beach, Florida, providing him connections with Redskins players before he arrived.

"Coming from that area, it's tough," Moreland said on Redskins Park Drive. "It's basically a one way street: One way in, one way out."

Quinton Dunbar (Miami), Fabian Moreau (Fort Lauderdale), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Bradenton) and Jeremy Reaves (Pensacola) are also Florida natives.

"I've been with Cro and Dunbar, and they're funny," Moreland said. "They're just joking around with me."

4. He has faced challenges due to this size.

Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 180 pounds, Moreland faced obstacles during his college recruitment process.

"I was a small guy coming out of high school," Moreland said. "And I had a lot of big schools [offers], but when I went on an early visit to Toledo, they didn't like my weight size. So, a lot of big schools took their offers back once they heard about my weight."

Moreland was about 150 pounds coming out of high school but has put on 30 more pounds.

5. He referred to himself as a "pick machine."

Moreland expressed confidence in his play soon after he stepped onto the field as a Redskin, calling himself a "pick machine" during rookie minicamp in May.

His nickname at James Madison was "ball-hawk" as one of the country's top defensive backs. He likes to watch every play from each practice multiple times to work on his craft.

"I'm trying to get that turnover ratio up, get my defense off the field and get my offense momentum back." Moreland said.

6. He made a hat trick of interceptions during OTAs.

At OTAs in May, Moreland completed a hat trick of three interceptions in a day.

"He had three interceptions, which I've never seen over my career actually in practice," Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said. "He's just a smart football player who knows exactly what he's supposed to do and understands the game very well."

7. He has impressed Josh Norman.

Josh Norman, one of the Redskins' leaders, has been impressed with many rookies, including Moreland.

"[Jimmy] Moreland is really good, really good. He's going to make a big impact for us," Norman said last week. "He's always around the ball. He has a knack for it. I'm looking forward to watching him."

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