Linebacker Earnest Norman Commits To KU

The Rivals website was reporting last night that Euless, TX linebacker Earnest Norman (5-11/220/4.58 forty) verbally commited to the Kansas Jayhawks. No rating was available on either recruiting site, but the Hawk Digest rating should be available this evening. A couple of video's were posted on the Gridiron Board:

 junior video

sophmore video

2009 Kansas Football Recruits - Verbal Commitments

OFFENSE

Hdr/PS   Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
40-QB -- Jordan Webb/Union, MO -- 6-0/204 -- 4/12/2008

38-RB -- Deshaun Sands/Coconut Creek, FLA -- 5-9/175/4.5 -- 4/10/2008

DEFENSE
Hdr/PS  Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
XX-LB -- Ernest Norman/Euless, TX -- 5-11/220/4.58 -- 5/27/2008

12-DB --Tyler Patmon/Cedar Park,TX -- 5-11/180 -- 4/17/2008

XX = No Hdr Rating Yet
Hdr = Hawk Digest Rating

Comments

[randy maxwell]

Earnest Norman video. Very small, tackles with his arms and does not really deliver a blow. But man what closing speed. He can improve his tackling but you can't teach speed so he's got some ability for sure. Looks more like a strong safety than a LB at this point. He'll get bigger in the KU program for sure and if he keeps his speed he'll be a player.

[DJ-hawkdigest.com]

He looks like a great early pick up. I'm very interested to see how Rivals and Scout rank him. Plus, I'd like to know more about his change of mind with Tulsa.

[rockchalk]

Agreed. He has a chance to be a really good, really quick LBer or even safety. However, he, more likely, will be a really, really solid special teams player, with maybe a special designed role on the defense; in obvious passing-situations or whatever.

You couldn't really tell his coverage skills on the videos, but you would figure that he would be good, with his insane speed and all.

In any case, it looks like a solid pickup.

[DJ Goodwin]

"with maybe a special designed role on the defense; in obvious passing-situations or whatever"

He could play the Bandit position ala Brandon Perkins. At any rate, LB is an interesting to position to follow recruiting wise with the Three Amigos II graduating after this year. I'm also looking forward to your position breakdown on LBs at RockChalkTalk.com for that reason.