By Brandon Cavanaugh
Speculation and rumor are part of what makes that long period between seasons fun, but some talk that appears to be spreading across Husker Nation is that a big time Texas Defensive Tackle may find himself amongst the Cornhusker commit list. Quoted as being a “light verbal” to Nebraska, Isiah Norton out of Dallas, Texas’ Kimball High School seems fairly enamored with the Big Red right now and why not? In the spirit of fairness, I thought I’d take a look at some early film of Norton to see just what the big fella brings to the table.
The first thing I thought when watching Norton’s film front to back was: “Suh”. Norton’s commitment and eventual work through the program should he become a Cornhusker will be the Pelini brothers’ attempt to clone Ndamkuong Suh. Norton is big (6’5” 290), he is fast and he doesn’t let a little thing like being held get in his way. Again, hear that somewhere before?
While Kimball High may not be in the Big XII, Norton does a fine Suh impression on its’ opposition’s offensive lines. His awareness is very keen for a junior. There’s an old adage that if you’re thinking during a play, you shouldn’t be playing. Norton is very read and react. This plays to his advantage almost too well. The big man shrugs through two men to get to the quarterback, jolts into open space at a running back like he was shot out of a cannon and does not stop on a play until the ball carrier is down and I mean DOWN, Jack.
Oh, I forgot to mention he does this thing fairly well. It’s called pass coverage. Adding even more hype to the Norton name (look at what site you’re on), this big man can not only track down a running back or sift through to get to a quarterback, but proves doubly efficient against passers as he reads eyes to an impressive level and goes for the pick.
So, let’s review:
1.) Massive beast man: Check
2.) Excellent speed: Check
3.) Makes plays despite being held: Check (and useful in the Big XII)
4.) Plays pass coverage and swats/attempts to pick
…yes, I think I would take this kid in a heartbeat, lock him in the weight room with Dobson for a year and unleash him on the poor offensive backfields of the Big XII. Hey kid, you like Nebraska? I think Nebraska’d love to have you. You remind us of someone we know.
http://www.hothuskers.com/huskerhype/initial-recruit-evaluation-isiah-norton/
