How Two Tigers Have Impacted Brett Norfleet Ahead of 2026

Brett Norfleet is entering his fourth season as the starting tight end for the Missouri Tigers, but he didn't just get there on his own accord. Help from teammates and coaches are a given for any football player, but off the field, Norfleet has personally developed with fellow tight end Jordon Harris.

The two seniors were major contributors for Missouri last season, but their bond outside of football is substantial as well. Norfleet told reporters on Tuesday that this will be the fourth year the teammates are rooming together.

"Some things that he's really taught me is just to be a better human being," Norfleet said. "I look up to him and I'm just really glad that I get to call him my friend."

Two Missouri players celebrate together. — Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Jamal Roberts (20) celebrates with tight end Jordon Harris (86) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

But make no mistake, the two are highly successful on the field as well, with Norfleet primarily operating as a receiving tight end and Harris as a dominant blocker.

Harris used his 6-foot-4, 268 pound stature and steady improvement as a blocker last season to boast a 68.7 PFF run block grade on 317 snaps against the run. The figure ranked 39th out of 431 tight ends that met the snap requirement.

"I'm really proud of him (and) all the hard work that he's put in," Norfleet said. "He's a hell of a football player, but he's also a phenomenal human being too. So I'm really excited for the year that he's about to have."

Alex Atkins' Early Impact

Florida State coach walks into the facility. — Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins arrives for an FSU spring football practice of the 2023 season on Friday, March 10, 2023. Alex Atkins1 1 Of 1 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Harris and Norfleet have spent their entire collegiate career under tight ends coach Derham Cato. This season, the group is under the direction of yet another uber-qualified coach on Missouri's staff, Alex Atkins.

Atkins started full-time collegiate coaching in 2010 and has bounced around in a variety of roles since. His resume includes three years as Florida State's offensive coordinator and one season as run game coordinator and tight ends coach for LSU last year.

"I'm really happy that coach Atkins is here," Norfleet said. "I think working with him, it's just a whole new mindset of the run game and then also working with our other coach in the room, Coach Travis Russell... brings a new dynamic for the pass game and route stuff. So I'm really glad that they're both in our room."

Norfleet is already learning from Atkins and could improve his blocking under the new coach. Despite being accomplished in receiving, Norfleet's 48.1 run blocking grade ranked 355th out of 431 tight ends last season. With Atkins at the helm, Norfleet was given advice recently that may boost his blocking ability.

"He's kind of taught us all a mindset about really trying to use our hands. For me, I was just trying to use my shoulders all the time and that hasn't really worked out," Norfleet said. "But his mindset that he's brought to the room has been a great add for us."

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