Morice Norris
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | September 27, 2000 |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight: | 198 lb (90 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Sanger Union (Sanger, California) |
| College: | Orange Coast (2018–2019) Fresno State (2021–2023) |
| Position: | Cornerback |
| Undrafted: | 2024 |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Morice Norris Jr. (born September 27, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Orange Coast Pirates and Fresno State Bulldogs.
Early life
[edit]Norris was born on September 27, 2000, and grew up in Fresno, California.[1] He grew up playing basketball and continued playing the sport while attending Sanger Union High School.[2] As a senior, he tried out for the football team, after having been convinced to do so by two of his childhood friends, Arron Mosby and Jalen Moreno-Cropper, both of whom later played in the NFL.[2] In his only year with the football team, he played at cornerback and wide receiver and led the team in interceptions, while also setting a school record for longest touchdown.[3] He opted to begin his college football career at the junior college level with Orange Coast College.[3]
College career
[edit]Norris committed to Orange Coast as it allowed him to play both football and basketball.[4] While attending the school, he lived in a two-bedroom apartment with five teammates, "staking out a corner of the living room and making the best of it," according to The Fresno Bee.[4] As a freshman on the football team in 2018, he appeared in seven games and posted 12 tackles with three pass breakups.[5] However, near the end of the season, he "blew out his knee," although he was able to return for his 2019 sophomore season.[4] He played eight games as a sophomore and recorded 23 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception.[5]
After his two years of junior college football, Norris had no scholarship offers and only one offer as a preferred walk-on, with the New Mexico Aggies Greyhounds.[4] He was not able to join the football team at first, due to the school reviewing his transcripts for admission, and the 2020 season was disrupted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] In June 2021, New Mexico State withdrew their preferred walk-on offer.[6] The Fresno Bee noted that after his offer was withdrawn, "Norris was in scramble mode."[4]
Norris initially considered quitting the sport altogether.[4] However, he called an assistant coach for the Fresno State Bulldogs, who informed him of a camp that was being held the following day.[4] Norris said "I packed up everything I got in a new car" and drove to Fresno, driving 980 miles in 15 hours and arriving two hours before the camp took place, at 8:00 a.m.[4] After impressing there, he was given a spot on the team as a walk-on.[4]
Norris was ineligible to play in the 2021 season.[2] He was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2022 season.[7] That year, he started at nickelback in 12 games and made 57 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), six pass breakups and a sack.[5] After receiving a waiver by the NCAA to play a final season in 2023, Norris totaled 59 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 10 pass breakups and 3.5 sacks as a senior, being named second-team All-Mountain West Conference (MW) while starting all 13 games.[4][5] He was a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy as best player who started as a walk-on and was invited to the College Gridiron Showcase.[5]
Professional career
[edit]After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Norris signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent.[2] He was waived on August 14, 2024, due to an injury.[8] Norris was re-signed to the practice squad on September 24.[9] He was signed off the practice squad to the active roster on December 28.[10] Norris was waived by Detroit on December 31.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Morice Norris". Fox Sports.
- ^ a b c d Seidel, Jeff (June 10, 2024). "One Detroit Lions player worked and worked by himself way after practice. I found out why". Detroit Free Press – via archive.ph.
- ^ a b Romo, Vanessa (October 7, 2022). "Morice Norris: Back home to compete with Fresno State". KMPH-TV.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kuwada, Robert (August 3, 2023). "For Bulldogs' Norris, a long road home was almost ended by COVID. But not the way you think". The Fresno Bee – via archive.ph.
- ^ a b c d e "Morice Norris Jr". Fresno Bulldogs.
- ^ Hicks, Stephen (August 15, 2023). "Bulldog Breakdown: Journey back to Fresno State for Morice Norris". KFSN-TV.
- ^ Kuwada, Robert (September 10, 2022). "Sanger product goes from walk-on to key for Fresno State tonight vs. Oregon State". The Fresno Bee – via archive.ph.
- ^ Booher, Christian (August 14, 2024). "Lions Waive Morice Norris, Sign CB". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ Risdon, Jeff (September 24, 2024). "Lions place 2 defensive starters on I.R., sign WR Tim Patrick to the active roster". USA Today.
- ^ Maakaron, John (December 28, 2024). "Lions Sign DB to Active Roster, Bring Back LB Kwon Alexander". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ "Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/24". profootballrumors.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.