2012 Spartan Nation Football Profile: #10 LB Chris Norman
Expectation:Â All Big Ten LB
Height:  6’1â€
Weight:Â #230
2012 Eligibility: Senior
EXP:Â 3 Letters
Status:Â Starting LB
Strengths: Let’s go straight to the UM game. In the 1st quarter the Wolverines were facing a 2nd and one with 12:31 on the clock at their own 40. The ball was on
the short side and Norman was in his star position on the wide side. The guard pulled and even with the play going to the complete opposite side and having to avoid an OL he was able to get down the field and make the tackle 16 yards downfield. The play for the Wolverines was a success, but Norman and his motor stopped it from being a score because of his relentless pursuit.
That is Norman. He is able to make plays anywhere on the field. He has superb vision, great feet and plays the game in a way that looks effortless. Norman’s game is fluent, meaning he can avoid blockers, accelerate and get to the play. He is not a good linebacker, he is a great linebacker. Bullough is notorious as the QB of the defense and Denicos makes the amazing plays that make Sportscenter, but Norman is the blue collar, lunchbox carrying member of the crew that just does his job.
Weakness: Let’s take a moment and look at the OSU game. In the 1st quarter the Buckeyes had the ball at their own 21 with 5:48 on the clock and facing a 3rd and 13. Braxton Miller was in the gun and under duress, he threw the ball up to get rid of it and Norman had it go through his hands.
Norman is about as reliable as they come, but missed a chance to make a key interception. He rarely makes mistakes. He is very sound and has major upside. As an upper classmen he can’t let those game changing bunnies go through. No one is more upset with the words Norman and upside then Norman. He is driven. He won’t make those simple and rare mistakes this year.
I spent some time with him off the field this summer and I can tell you he is on a mission. I have always liked Chris and have known him for six years. He has always been driven. Somehow and someway he pulled an Emeril this off season and took it up another notch.
Final Analysis: Mark Dantonio made it clear when he came to MSU that he had to go after a different kind of player. Of course he wanted
talent, but he had to recruit character first. There is no finer example of that on this team then Norman.
He is a special human being. I will be stunned if he doesn’t do something after football much bigger in life then even being a great pro. I could see him being whatever he wants. There are so many fine people on this team, but none greater than him. He is a gentleman, a devoted man of faith and as rock solid of a human being there is. He is not only loved by his teammates and coaches, but he is respected.
I will be stunned if he is not voted a captain. If he can stay healthy, he will finish an All-Big Ten LB. I know so many past players and all of the current, but I can’t think of one that I respect more as a person than Norman. He is as fine as any that have come before him and decades from now he will still be the gold standard of
which players in any program are judged. Not just as football players, but men.
The best compliment I can give Chris is simply this. He came to MSU as a great kid. He leaves as a gentleman. A man of character and integrity and he will
leave MSU better for him having been a part.
Next up:Â #5 CB Johnny Adams
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