Hello: Dennis Norfleet
Per Allen Trieu on Twitter, Dennis Norfleet has committed to Michigan.
The 5' 7" all-purpose Running Back is a 4 star on scout.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:22 AM ^
This kid reminds me of Barry Sanders, only faster and with better hips.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:58 AM ^
Go to bed, Fred!
February 1st, 2012 at 1:23 AM ^
February 1st, 2012 at 1:33 AM ^
People are worried about his size and offer list, but he seems impressive to me. Plus, I love any kid that is willing to switch his commitment last minute because of an offer by Michigan.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:44 AM ^
Knowing how much these recruiting sites rely on offers when rating recruits, the fact that he is a consensus 4 star should really tell you how talented the guy is. So pumped.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:26 AM ^
Why did he have so few offers though? Lack of exposure like Braden?
February 1st, 2012 at 8:33 AM ^
I would guess that it's beause he committed to Cincinnati in August. At the time, Alabama was pursuing him pretty hard, so he might have gotten a scholarship from the Tide. I'm sure that would have opened up a whole new sheet of offers. I'm not one of those schools evaluating him, but the only knock on him seems to be size. This is a good football player we're getting. His offers probably would have blown up had we offered him sooner.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:00 AM ^
i don't know about decently built, he's looks pretty college ready to me. 
February 1st, 2012 at 2:33 AM ^
It'd be amazing if he looks that superimposed in real life.
February 1st, 2012 at 8:26 AM ^
but I guarantee the first day will be spent teaching him to switch the ball to his outside arm when he's breaking to the sidelines. Then again, when everyone's ten yards back, it hardly matters.
I love this pickup. Can't believe all the neg about him earlier in the year, now that I've seen the film.
Welcome aboard, Dennis. I'm a believer.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:24 AM ^
Even though the surprise came early, I'm still excited for NSD. You just never know, right Dorsey?
February 1st, 2012 at 1:25 AM ^
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1082659.html This is an interesting article about 7on7 competition with Norfleet and Shane Morris versus Florida teams.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:47 AM ^
Thanks for posting this. That video was impressive! Am I the only one who saw the end of that video and was more than a little surprised at the size of his arms? That's the first time I'd seen a picture of him up close before and, man, he's way more built than I thought he'd be from his basic measurables. Holy smokes!
February 1st, 2012 at 2:14 AM ^
I'm surprised nobody else brought up that he played on that team with Shane. I remember being really impressed with his performance there and it helps that he has seemingly good chemistry with our future qb.
Overall, I like this pickup. Not thrilled, but I think if utilized, this guy can be extremely effective with us. Skill players are usually hit or miss. If he turns out to be awesome, that's, well, awesome. If he's only used occaisionally, that's fine too. We still have Drake Johnson who may play a similar role.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:40 AM ^
I'm excited about this, but I guess it all depends on how the coaches use him.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:25 AM ^
Saw this kid play, and I can understand some people not being wowed by his tape or ranking or whatever; but he is a great pick up. Makes a great class even better. Has ability to contribute in a few different spots.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:50 AM ^
What's not to like about his rankings?
February 1st, 2012 at 10:37 AM ^
It's not that his ranking is low it was more a response to the people that are "OMG NO 5 STARZ NO WANNTTT"
February 1st, 2012 at 1:25 AM ^
he'll totally disappear behind our offensive line. by the time defenses pick him up he'll be behind them.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:41 AM ^
If he is anything like how Jaquizz Rodgers was for Oregon St. then I would be very happy.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:25 AM ^
Actually, he really is faster than Barry Sanders.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:26 AM ^
Before hearing of the commitment, I was watching his senior tape and couldn't stop thinking of the threat he could potentially bring to our O. Not to mention his future roles on special teams, where I see him excelling. Kid is a beast. Glad to have him!
February 1st, 2012 at 1:28 AM ^
Why are people acting like we just landed a preferred walk-on? This is Dennis Norfleet, a consensus top 250 player to everyone except the retards at ESPN. HELLO???
February 1st, 2012 at 1:37 AM ^
Amen. Dennis Norfleet is a legit 4* not a scrub. Watch his highlight videos and you'll see the big play potential he has. His shiftyness reminds me of a certain ex-wolverine and current EMU coach.
February 1st, 2012 at 9:09 AM ^
Though I don't think he was that shifty.
(Yes, I know you were talking about someone else).
February 1st, 2012 at 2:36 AM ^
He's actually one of our highest-rated recruits. Rivals has him at #236 overall, Scout has him at #163 overall, and 247 has him at #169 overall. ESPN is the outlier.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:53 AM ^
I listen to them like I do my ex-girlfriends.
February 1st, 2012 at 9:10 AM ^
If they did what you say ESPN does.
February 1st, 2012 at 5:42 AM ^
February 1st, 2012 at 8:44 AM ^
Even we fans should be able to see his potential. Were we not paying attention? We are the team of Jamie Morris, Mike Hart, and Vince Smith.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:30 AM ^
In my opinion you never turn down a guy with speed and toughness. I think he could be a great complement to manball. He could be our Percy Harvin if used correctly.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:30 AM ^
I saw the first few clips on his highlight film and saw several years of throwback screens dancing before my eyes.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:35 AM ^
Kid must've done something right.
Also Alabama was recruiting him hard - I think we have a star in our bag (back).
Curious - is he Denard fast??
February 1st, 2012 at 1:46 AM ^
Sport Science said Denard runs a 4.32 and Norfleet runs a 4.39. I would say both of those are pretty legit times, so he's only .07 slower than Denard.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:48 AM ^
On a second look, 247 lists a 4.34 time and he is an all-state sprinter. I would say he's legitimately Denard fast on the football field.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:16 AM ^
I will take anyone with Denard's speed everyday of the week and twice on Saturdays. I take back what I said earlier in the thread. I'm hyped for this kid.
February 1st, 2012 at 8:09 AM ^
Twice on Wednesdays?
February 1st, 2012 at 1:53 AM ^
is 4.34 or 4.39 depending on which site you check out.
So yes, He is Denard fast.
I see him as a cross between Vincent Smith and Jeremy Gallon - a tought, physical, very shifty all purpose back who also has great hands (and hopefully a cloaking device!)
February 1st, 2012 at 9:52 AM ^
February 1st, 2012 at 1:32 AM ^
I really like this pickup. Height does not matter a ton at the RB position. The guy has legit speed and is a tough runner.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:32 AM ^
This guy looks like a beast
February 1st, 2012 at 1:33 AM ^
Great to have a guy who can stretch the field laterally when opponents load up the box to stop Ty Isaac.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:35 AM ^
must of got him for the slot and vincent smiths replacement once vince graduates. welcome dennis!
February 1st, 2012 at 1:58 AM ^
Timothy 2:12 - I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be silent.
February 1st, 2012 at 2:28 AM ^
Oh God, this will not end well.
February 1st, 2012 at 3:21 AM ^
biblical misogyny FTW, apparently
February 1st, 2012 at 1:41 AM ^
Dennis Norfleet (according to 247Sports): 5-8/175
Jamie Morris (according to UM football database): 5-8/179 as a frosh
I would not be surprised if he gets some playing time as a freshman.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:36 AM ^
The cut at 4:16 is wicked.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:38 AM ^
February 1st, 2012 at 1:39 AM ^
I dont know what it is, but I just have this gut feeling that something exciting is gonna happen tomorrow for us. Could just be the adderral.