It took a matchup against a future Tennessee football player to show just how special Warren Norman could be.
The coming-out-party occurred in the second round of the playoffs in November when the 5-foot-9, 188-pound running back rushed for 268 yards on 16 attempts while scoring five touchdowns, leading Chamblee (Ga.) High School to a thrilling overtime victory over Stephens County 58-57.
Stephens County also had a star in its backfield: tailback Tauren Poole, who enrolled at UT in January. Poole finished with 161 rushing yards, 71 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
“A top prospect going to Tennessee, and I had more rushing yards than him,” Norman said. “That was pretty cool.”
It’s no surprise that Norman would be so excited about overshadowing Poole. Back in 2006, Norman was a sophomore quarterback, not a star tailback. Future Georgia Tech tailback signee Roddy Jones was in charge of racking up Chamblee’s rushing yards.
Last season, Norman was just one of many tailbacks trying to get some carries in Chamblee’s triple-option attack. So just how many yards might Norman had gained if he was the featured tailback?
“I’ve actually heard that question a lot of times,” Norman said. “Two-thousand yards is a possibility. I only had 160 carries this year. I was expecting to get about 300.
“When the option offense came, I only got 160 because we were splitting carries between three other running backs.”
That makes Norman a bit of an unknown. With a limited highlight tape to study, he hasn’t received any scholarship offers yet, but has received interest from Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Auburn and Georgia.
It seems only a matter of time until the offers begin rolling in, especially if he performs well on the camp circuit this summer. Norman is scheduled to participate in May’s Nike camp in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he’ll try to prove he’s up to his reported time of 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
“I’d probably say I’m a speed back just because I feel more comfortable running outside towards the sideline,” Norman said. “But I can lower a shoulder and put a boom on a defender every once in awhile too.”
All the growing college attention has Norman a bit taken aback.
“It’s been a great experience,” he said, “especially considering last year I didn’t expect to have all this attention.”
Three of Chamblee’s juniors also figure to be college prospects: quarterback Garett Williams, running back Darius Jones and cornerback Briant Henry. But assuming the four are a package deal is premature.
“We all want to go to the same college, but if I go somewhere and they go somewhere different, then so be it,” Norman said.
Given his brief experience carrying the ball, a strong start to his senior season could raise his stock even higher. Norman senses the opportunity.
“I plan on having a better season (this year) because I’ve been working out a lot more than I’ve done the past seasons,” Norman said.
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Comments » 65
txsvol#372416 writes:
I'm sure he's an outstanding player, but why aren't we getting bios on our 2008 recruits instead of possibilities for next year, Dave? There's a disconnect between KNS and Vol fans. Go Vols! SAVol
CoverOrange writes:
Or how about an interview with Clawson?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I see nothing wrong with 161 yds rushing and 71 yds receiving. Welcome, Poole. North & South.
We already have a back who likes to run toward the sidelines.
DingoVol writes:
What a poor choice of titles for an article. Why not call it "Let's make a signee feel bad", or "You chose to come here, so I am going to ruin your day", or "I'm Dave Hooker, and I am an idiot". I have never commented on your articles, but this is ridiculous. Let's highlight all of our signees worst games over the next month. Or we could fill up several months worth of "Dave Hooker's worst articles". Give me a break.
ORANGEASIAN writes:
Howdie Dudie Hooker and John Adams Looseranner, what a dynamic dud! You guys are terrible.
NJVol writes:
We are all much dumber for having read this article. I agree, where is the story/interview with Clawson.
ctownvol writes:
DingoVol- Well said. Dave Hooker is a complete waste of time to read. Totally classless.
jweaver3#395614 writes:
I agree SAVol, it seems like the KNS is trying everything they can to not give Vol fans pertinate information about football. Except to say we need a new head coach. They don't seem to have any ideas about whom that coach should be. It sounds like change for changes sake???
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
pdhuff#552644 writes:
True sj18, Chamblee is getting a little long in the tooth. A large population of Cambodians and other Asians as well as warehouse districts, Marta tracks, etc... Not near as bad as some. Some of Atl CAN be dangerous at nite if you're not aware.
RunRunPassPunt writes:
I would think that after the Adams article Fulmer won't let KNS do any features on their new OC, let alone anyone on staff. The tone of KNS reporting has really taken a downward turn and its quite a shame that the hometown paper is denigrating what is for all intents and purposes, one of the leading economic drivers of the city.
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
I think the reason that we are not seeing any real interviews with the football program and lack of information about the program from anyone other than KPD is the direct result of the relationship (or lack there of) between Coach Fulmer and KNS...there must be A LOT more bitterness than we even suspected. The UT football program seems to have closed the door on KNS....
MrBamSeydu writes:
my GOD you guys complain more than a woman!! this wasn't the worst article I've ever read. if you're all such brilliant journalists/reporters, why aren't you posting articles? if you want to complain about something, complain about your monthly period.
TommyJack writes:
Clearly, I'm missing something here. How is this article a beat-down of Poole? Seems to me more of a puff piece on Norman. Maybe even encourage him to come to TN. Hello? Get it? Many of you have your minds made up prior to even reading the articles. Open you minds, Faithful. The entire world is not anti-orange.
kaplan#211944 writes:
Closed door on KNS? Drew Edwards had two stories published Tuesday with interviews with Fulmer, Hamilton, Josh Briscoe and Arian Foster.
Phil Kaplan
CoverOrange writes:
Agree TJ. Besides, Hooker didn't write the headline.
Brad, because I have another full time job and KNS won't pay me 6 figures to do theirs.
Hope having Poole won't dissuade him from coming here also.
CoverOrange writes:
Phil, stop asking posters to be logical and do research! LOL
Is there an indepth interview with Clawson in the works?
TommyJack writes:
I would agree that an interview with CLAWSON would be worth striving for, KNS. Maybe you are...don't know if there's any access to him or not.
TommyJack writes:
sjt: Do my eyes deceive me, or did you just agree with someone? Hell hath frozen over. lol
auttat writes:
Is it just me, or does Phil Kaplan have some kind of chip on his shoulder?
While I don't neccessarily agree with the title of the article, it's not Dave's responsibility to cover recruits already in school or signed. Norman is a recruit, Poole is already in school.
TommyJack writes:
Marc: sjt will explain in at least 1000 words how he did/did not agree with PD. lol sjt, I luv you man!
TommyJack writes:
sjt: I have no ego. I, too, lived in hotlanta for about 30 years. If Chambodia is 47% black, then it must me 53% asian. We've never done too well with Asian recruiting.
TommyJack writes:
I like ole sjt. At least his posts are logical and coherent. Verbose maybe, but that's his style. I wish all posters would think things thru like sjt..may still disagree with him, but at least he's not just firing from the hip and spewing stealth cuss words. My take.
Huntingdonvol writes:
Where is dupree when you need him?
kaplan#211944 writes:
Yes we have talked to new assistants. Not much they can tell you except working on a game plan. Spring practice starts March 11 and new coaches will be able to see players working out for the first time.
juicetke#226846 writes:
Was Poole running against the same defense as Norman? This not a fair comparison.
Heaven forbid you just write an article about how well he did because those are some pretty good stats also taking into effect the receiving yards.
Maybe Poole's team had a better quarterback or maybe Norman's team has a terrible one.
You guys are ridiculous.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
sjt,
I'm want to complain that your posts are too brief. I enjoy reading your arguments as they are well thought with lots of supporting data. Others may complain as they are too lazy to provide supporting data to their arguments that you do.
Keep up the good work on providing some much needed sanity and rationality in these mostly over emotional and irration reactions.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Geez I should proof read before hitting the post button
VOLinDAWGland writes:
My typos look like something an Alabubba troll would type.
TommyJack writes:
VolinDawg: That's what I like. Honest dissent on this board. SJT: Ratchet it up another notch!
CoverOrange writes:
Kaplan, here's the question I would want asked when that interview with Clawson happens (please don't read an agenda into it):
"Coach Clawson, are you tossing the old playbook out the window and starting from scratch or making nuance changes where appropriate or going with what everybody already knows?"
Sjt, TJ, Gerry, marc, any questions you guys would like to proffer? Let's help KNS out with getting the info we really want to know.
Thanks Phil. I'll hang up and listen to your reply.
TommyJack writes:
What sjt said 12:51. Especially about the running game.
murrayvol writes:
Oh woe is us. KNS fires salvo at Fulmer. Fulmer's panties are in a wad. "Never the twain shall meet." What will we evah do for quotes?
Well, it's on the internet so it must be true. BS! They go together like peas & carrots.
As for this article, forget the headline and look inside the numbers. Poole had a pretty fair game as well. And that my fellow posters is all we know about that. Bring on Clawson! asap
thesavageorange writes:
pdhuff ,Agree w/ you're 7:48 post.However, this kid looks and runs like another overlooked guy named Noel Devine.TJ ,this does sound a little like icing on the 1000 post cake.He could have wrote a story about this kid w/o Poole being in it.5005 Mr.Poole 5005!!!!!
thesavageorange writes:
sjt18 ,I agree w/ TJ on that as well.Good post.Oh no!TJ if I agree w/ you does that make me a naysayer?I mean don't I have to disagree w/ you even when I think you're right?Nooooooooooo!lol
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Dupree has done well ever since I got him a fritter route thru 4 counties. No store gets over twenty no matter how many they order. When Dupree counts to twenty (fingers and toes) thats it, no exceptions.
I also wonder if Clawson ever goes home, opens a cold one and just sits in the dark. Musing quietly about the calmness of Richmond compare to the malefic storms of Knoxville. Welcome to Big Orange country, coach. Change the course, throw away the charts and work smarter, not like heck.
CoverOrange writes:
Yes, Mr. Hooker could have written w/o reference to Poole. But, including Poole helps to give reference to the common fan that has heard of Poole and knows he was something of a prized recruit.
Dave did UT a recruiting favor by drawing fan attention to Norman and maybe got Norman's attention by writing a story about a junior HSer. What ego wouldn't want that?
TommyJack writes:
Savage: A rare agreement with me does not a naysayer make. Your reputation remains untarnished. Actually I prefer downward spiraler anyway. lol
TommyJack writes:
PD: I suspicion that when Clawson sits and muses, he has a very large plan in mind....
thesavageorange writes:
sjt18, He did end up a 5* , but the story was kind of like this kids and his appeal didn't hit full stride until his senior yr.For anyone who has not seen Devine play , please treat yourself to a W Virginia game next yr on TV.He is as electric as it gets.
JWilly writes:
Just curious, how many of you guys hold a job? BTW, I don't.
thesavageorange writes:
JWilly, Luckily for me , I run my own show, and am only busy during certain times of the day.Once I leave work it's home to the wife and kids and no cpu.(usually)I have wondered about others though.
losvolsganan writes:
So in other words, until spring practice time nothing to do but let the dirty laundry fly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCyJRX...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TJ, LARGE plan you say! Hmmmm, I'll mull that one for a while.
Speaking of Chambodia, I was a good friend of John Reed, who owned Reed Cams. Possibly the smartest technical man in the racing industry we were part of. Plant was by Marta tracks, industrial area, no houses. One evening we did a few burn-outs in parking lot checking out a bone-bad small-block (10 sec car) in a Malibu. Cops came by and said to stifle.??????? Two days later, John found a strange car in parking lot. Called same cop, found body in trunk. Weird area for happenings there. John died piloting a Stintson with a radial a few years later. Good man.
TommyJack writes:
PD: Just a hunch, but I think far bigger things are in the works for Coach Clawson.
thesavageorange writes:
TommyJack ,I agree.Dang! I dit it again.I don't know if you saw my post on the other thread, but I believe Clawson will lead the Vols through the T on opening day 2010.If the O plays well next yr, I think they will name him successor and the end of 08 season.CPF's last/best chance at an SEC title will be in 09.
losvolsganan writes:
Dohh!
That link was supposed to be this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0K_LZ...
(Maybe now it will make more sense. So much for my youtube zenmastery!)
thesavageorange writes:
losvolsganan ,tisk, tisk, tisk losvols.I'm telling geoff!Ha ha.Another good one.
TommyJack writes:
Savage: Had you said '08 or'09, you would have been close to naysayerdom.
thesavageorange writes:
TommyJack ,I better go take a nap before I get myself in trouble!By the way would you agree w/ my assesment?
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
I am done!!! I am BOYCOTTING KNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is ridiculous. How about writing a story about how promising our players may be, not how they were "overshadowed" in a HS game.
This is the worst editorial I have ever read. NO MORE!!!
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