Chris Norman, a four-star recruit of the 2009 class under MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio, dedicates his athletic career to setting goals and following through on them.
At Detroit Renaissance High, the graduating senior linebacker has cherished every moment on the field — as he can’t believe his four-year term is quickly coming to a close, especially now that his high school football career has ended after a 5-4 overall record.
Like a pendulum, he swings from side to side in one swift motion without skipping a beat.
But in the case of Chris Norman — a verbal commitment for the 2009 MSU football recruiting class — it’s sideline to sideline, blasting any ball carrier or blocker that even tries getting in his way.
“I love hitting hard, playing fast and with a lot of tenacity, just being the best overall team player I can, being able to lead the guys and make sure the job gets done,” Norman said. “Football has always been my passion.”
And according to Norman’s varsity head coach, Antonio Watts, he is just as proud of his graduating senior as he is upset that he has to let him go.
“He’s everything you could ever want in an athlete on your football team — everything,” Watts said. “The kid is agile, he’s fast. I love the kid (like my own). He’s a versatile style player.”
Norman, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound outside linebacker from Detroit Renaissance High, benches up to 325 pounds, squats 450 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds and has a vertical of 40 inches.
Those qualities helped make him the fifth-best high school outside linebacker in the nation, according to Rivals.com.
Norman’s versatility has made him a factor at multiple positions, including offense, where he’s provided some punch at running back.
The Phoenix finished 5-4 on the year, winning its last two games. However, it came one game short of qualifying for the playoffs.
Norman recently described a “perfect senior year” as one that included at least a city championship.
That didn’t happen.
But Norman isn’t as crushed as he imagined he would be, as he’s still got more than six months to live high school to its fullest.
When it’s all said and done, Norman won’t be leaving the city of Detroit empty handed, or more appropriately, without a close companion.
Defensive back Dana Dixon, another 2009 verbal commitment, also will make the trip to MSU’s dorms this summer.
Dixon, a 6-foot-2, 171-pound three-star recruit, according to Rivals.com, is described by Watts and Norman as a speedy defensive back who shows incredible heart on the field.
Both he and Norman attribute their success and knowledge of the sport to Detroit Renaissance High, a school they couldn’t be happier to attend.
“Renaissance is a great school,” Dixon said. “We come in the first week of school and get to work.
“Most schools have a little time where they’re off. We come in and get to work. We’re a college (preparatory) school, it’s a great school to be at.”
Norman is a teenager who isn’t shy about admitting how much he enjoys high school life.
But since he knows it’s almost time to grow up and head to bigger and better things, he couldn’t be more sure that MSU is the perfect place for him to begin four strong years.
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