PORT ORANGE — Derry Norris momentarily pulled a fast one in front of a crowded room of family, friends, teammates and coaches.
Spruce Creek’s 6-foot-4, 270-pound rising senior defensive lineman took a Miami hat from his father, placed it upon his head — and tossed it aside. Then, Norris reached down beneath his table and picked a different ACC program instead.
Norris verbally committed to Georgia Tech on Friday night, choosing the Yellow Jackets not only over Miami but the Big 10 duo of Minnesota and Purdue. He took official visits to all four schools during the month of June, but Georgia Tech set a precedent no other program could clear.
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“There’s always love for Miami, but I just feel like Georgia Tech is the best decision for me,” said Norris, who intends to study engineering while playing for the Yellow Jackets.
“I just wanted to go somewhere to be myself. Once I went through all those visits, I had seen different things and compared the different schools. I just feel like Georgia Tech hit all the points right on the head without me asking anything.”
Spruce Creeks Derry Norris #4 moves on the Booker High School quarterback, Wednesday May 22, 2024 in Port Orange.
Norris earned a Volusia-Flagler All-Area Defensive Player of the Year nomination as a junior after recording 13 tackles for loss, 9½ sacks and 20 quarterback pressures. Claiming more than three-dozen Division I offers, Norris is the No. 74 overall player on the USA TODAY Florida Network’s Top 100 for the 2025 class.
Hawks coach Andy Price expects Norris to bulk up in college and play along the defensive interior.
“He’s very explosive, and very fast. He ran a 4.6 (-second, 40-yard dash) laser a couple times last year,” Price said. “I think he uses his hands well and strikes…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/derry-norris-spruce-creeks-3-032554199.html
Author : Daytona Beach News-Journal
Publish date : 2024-06-29 03:25:54
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