Tag: Bill Norton

Former Georgia defensive lineman announces transfer destination

Former Georgia defender announces decision to join the Texas Longhorns via the transfer portal

After entering the transfer portal just over a week ago, a former Georgia defender has found his new home. Bill Norton, who spent four years with the Dawgs before playing last season with the Arizona Wildcats, has announced his decision to join the Texas Longhorns for the 2024 season.

Norton is listed at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, and is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. A four-star recruit in the class of 2019, he recorded 13 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss during his time at Georgia in a limited role. Last season with Arizona, he played in all thirteen games, recording 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles for a strong Wildcats’ defense that helped pave the way for their 10-3 season.

Norton will provide a boost to a Longhorn defensive line that is looking to replace two future NFL players in Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. He joins Tiaoalii Savea as the second Wildcat defensive lineman to join the Longhorns this offseason and is the third transfer into the unit overall as Steve Sarkisian attempts to prepare his roster for their jump into the Southeastern Conference.

Arizona transfer DL Bill Norton commits to Texas

Texas began to address its defensive tackle depth with the addition of Bill Norton.

The Texas Longhorns had a need at defensive tackle exiting spring football. They addressed that need on Monday.

Arizona transfer defensive lineman Bill Norton announced a transfer portal commitment to Texas. He joins former defensive line teammate Tiaoalii Savea in Austin. Both players were once four-star composite prospects as recruits.

Both Norton and Savea were part of a defense led by Texas linebackers coach Johnny Nansen last season. The then Arizona defensive coordinator led a Wildcats defense that allowed 21.1 points per game and 5.4 yards per play. The defense was particularly good against the run where Savea and Norton helped Arizona hold opponents to 118.2 rushing yards per game.

Norton’s frame is a positive as Texas looks to add big humans in the trenches. At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds Norton should not only be able to hold his ground but bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. The defensive lineman would be able to work in concert with fellow 6-foot-6 player Ethan Burke at edge. That length could create issues for quarterbacks with side arm deliveries.

The addition fills a need for the Longhorns to a certain degree but the team might not be done at the position. Texas has been a favorite to land UCLA transfer defensive lineman Jay Toia as well. Norton’s addition doesn’t eliminate the possibility of adding Toia.

Texas is on its way to building a formidable defensive line after losing two All-American caliber defensive tackles in Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. Look for Norton to make an impact in 2024.

Texas trending for UCLA DL Jay Toia, Arizona DL Bill Norton

Could Texas bring in multiple defensive tackles in the post-spring transfer portal?

Texas is trending for two of the top defensive tackles in the spring transfer portal opening. The Longhorns have long been the favorite for Arizona defensive tackle Bill Norton, but now trend for another former Pac-12 talent.

Texas is reportedly hosting UCLA defensive tackle Jay Toia in the early going of the portal reopening. Horns247’s Jordan Scruggs and Hank South have entered crystal ball predictions for the Longhorns to add Toia to the fold.

It’s early, but Texas faithful have to like where the team is positioned in the recruitment. It doesn’t appear that the Longhorns are opposed to taking more than one defensive tackle.

Presently, the interior defensive line is incomplete. Veteran defensive tackle Alfred Collins is primed to lead the position, but there are questions about the position as a whole. Adding Toia and Norton to Collins, Tiaoalii Savea and Vernon Broughton could solidify the defensive tackle position for Texas.

We’ll keep an eye on how the recruitment unfolds.

Arizona transfer DL Bill Norton to visit Texas for Orange-White game

Texas is targeting another former Arizona Wildcat in the transfer portal.

Texas’ new linebackers coach Johnny Nansen is targeting another former Arizona Wildcat in the transfer portal. Continue reading “Arizona transfer DL Bill Norton to visit Texas for Orange-White game”

Georgia DL Bill Norton announces transfer destination

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Bill Norton is transferring to the Arizona Wildcats

Former Georgia defensive lineman Bill Norton became the first Bulldog to enter the NCAA transfer portal earlier this offseason. Now, Norton is transferring to the Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona has had a lot of recent success in the transfer portal. The Wildcats added a commitment from Oregon linebacker Justin Flowe, a former five-star recruit.

Arizona finished the 2022 college football season with a 5-7 record. The Wildcats’ defense struggled at times and should be able to offer a lot of playing time to transfers.

Norton, a junior from Memphis, Tennessee, has 12 total tackles in his for season career for Georgia.

Bill Norton played high school football at Christian Brothers High School. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound defensive lineman additionally played four years of basketball during his high school career.

Norton came to the University of Georgia as a talented four-star recruit. Norton had three tackles in 2022 and played in the SEC championship game.

Bill Norton won a national championship during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

The Bulldogs still have some solid depth at the defensive line position. Georgia has players like Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson, Bear Alexander, Zion Logue, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who all have eligibility remaining and could return for the 2023 college football season.

Jalen Carter is expected to enter the 2023 NFL draft, but has not made an official announcement.

Bill Norton announced his commitment to Arizona via Twitter:

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Georgia DL Bill Norton enters transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Bill Norton is the first UGA player to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Georgia defensive lineman Bill Norton is the first Bulldog to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Norton, a junior from Memphis, Tennessee, has 12 total tackles in his for season career for Georgia.

Bill Norton played high school football at Christian Brothers High School. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound defensive lineman additionally played four years of basketball during his high school career.

Georgia defensive lineman Bill Norton (45) hands his game gloves to a fan after the Chick-fil-A Kickoff college football game between Oregon and Georgia in Atlanta. Joshua Jones/Online Athens

Norton came to the University of Georgia as a talented four-star recruit from Christian Brothers High School. Norton had three tackles in 2022 and played in the SEC championship game.

The Bulldogs still have some solid depth at the defensive line position. Georgia has players like Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson, Bear Alexander, Zion Logue, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who all have eligibility remaining and could return for the 2023 college football season. Jalen Carter is expected to enter the 2023 NFL draft, but has not made an official announcement.

The former four-star recruit announced that he would be entering the NCAA transfer portal via Twitter:

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Georgia football player card: DL Bill Norton

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Bill Norton played in three games and redshirted as a freshman in 2019.

Bill Norton, Defensive Line (#45):

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Height: 6-6

Weight: 285 pounds

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

High School: Christian Brothers High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Bill Norton played in three games as a freshman in 2019. Despite the playing time, Norton was able to redshirt during his first season in Athens. He finished the season with four tackles.

Norton will face a battle for playing time with Jordan Davis, Malik Herring, Travon Walker, and more along the defensive front. Norton came to Athens as a talented four star recruit from Christian Brothers High School. He additionally played four years of basketball during his high school days. Some recruiting services considered him an offensive lineman, but thus far Kirby Smart is utilizing him on the defensive side of the football.

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Isaiah Wilson gives his Georgia football pick-up basketball starting 5

Isaiah Wilson is the first player to give his Georgia football pick-up basketball starting 5 he would choose if they were to play a game.

After the UGA Wire staff created our own Georgia football pick-up basketball starting five, we wanted to hear football players’ lists of their own five.

We reached out to a number of former Georgia football players via Twitter, text and Instagram and asked who they’d choose as their squad.

Former Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson was the first to respond and give his own starting five.

Here is Isaiah’s starting five:

Point Guard: Jamie Newman (6-4, quarterback)

Shooting Guard: Richard LeCounte (5-11, safety)

Small Forward: George Pickens (6-3, wide receiver)

Power Forward: Bill Norton (6-6, defensive tackle)

Center: Jordan Davis (6-6, defensive tackle)

Wilson went with size in his picks, taking defensive tackles Bill Norton and Jordan Davis (both standing at 6-6) as his front court.

How would that team stack up against the team that we assembled?

Click the link below to see our squad.

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