Norton commits to Georgia football
One of the state's top-ranked 2019 prospects, Christian Brothers defensive lineman Bill Norton, announced Sunday night that he has committed to Georgia.
"Committed to the University of Georgia #GoDawgs," Norton tweeted.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Norton, a four-star prospect and the nation's 11th-ranked strong-side defensive end according to 247Sports composite rankings, chose the Bulldogs over offers from Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
The reigning TSSAA Division II-AAA Mr. Football recipient, Norton made his decision known a little more than 24 hours after visiting Tennessee for the first time since new Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt's hiring.
"He's lean; he's a really good athlete for his size; and we think he has a real knack for finding the football," Christian Brothers coach Thomas McDaniel said. "Georgia has kind of been adamant from day one that they thought he'd be a defensive lineman. In this recruiting process, some schools have leaned more towards thinking he was going to develop into an offensive lineman."
Mississippi State hosted Norton on March 10, and he visited Georgia on March 3.
"It's just about fit, and he really enjoyed the staff there," McDaniel said. "It's not a reflection of anything that's happened during the recruiting process recently or Georgia's success on the field last season. It was more about his visit over the summer, going to a game in the fall and kind of the rapport he has with their entire staff."
A two-way standout for Christian Brothers, Norton concluded his junior season with 45 total tackles — 16 for loss — and seven sacks for the Division II-AAA semifinalist Purple Wave.
Reach Michael Murphy mfmurphy@tennessean.com 615-259-8026. at or