Rivals: Norfleet expected to return to offense

Submitted by MH20 on

Sounds like our favorite scatback is headed back to offense.  From a Rivals spring preview article found here ($), I give you the money quote:

 

"He's supposedly going back to offense," Blackwell [ed: Norfleet's 7-on-7 coach] said. "They will use him in the slot and in the return game, and some as a running back. Coach [Greg] Mattison is saying he can still use him on defense and is making an argument to keep him there, but Dennis' passion is for the offense. That's where he wants to play, and from talking to Dennis it appears that's where he's going to play.

 

The rest of the article basically describes why Norfleet went to defense in the first place (potential for PT in the bowl game) and that offense is his true passion (duh).  It also highlights his need to beef up his blocking and grasp of the playbook in order to see the field more.

Brian is going to cry tears of joy.

ontblue

February 20th, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^

I never understood the move to DB in the first place. The coaches are always talking about wanting bigger physical corners and then they try Norfleet out at the position? Even if there was an immediate/temporary need there moving him made no sense at all, to me at least.

switch26

February 20th, 2013 at 1:02 PM ^

I was hoping he would come back to offense after watching him in all those 7 v 7 summer camps, his ability to not even let someone get hands on him was impressive..  Also taking home the mvp against a bunch of SEC recruits was pretty nice too..

 

Hope he can expand the roll that Smith had as he has much better speed and juking ability

OmarDontScare

February 20th, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^

Hindsight being 20/20 and all - Did we really think he'd be a DB forever. Wasn't it just for bowl practice since we were a little light there? (No Countess or Floyd)

bubblelevel

February 20th, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^

but I do believe it is not in a 7 v 7 "coach" (another point of contention too) to yap about this.  I know it isn't a trade secret prior to a big game but you are twice removed from the kid at UofM and just because he told you - you shouldn't spill this to rivalscout247et al....

WolverineFanatic6

February 20th, 2013 at 5:27 PM ^

Thank god. This was my only beef with the coaching staff. This kid is electric and not getting him the ball at least a couple times a game on offense is asinine. He needs one block on a screen and he's gone. I'd love to see him in the slot. No lb in America could cover him regularly. Fleeeeeeeeeeet

Ron Utah

February 21st, 2013 at 1:06 AM ^

If this kid was really that good on offense do you think they would have moved him?
Yes, I think he's a better fit on offense and I'm glad he's back there, but I'm not sure he will make much of an impact.

JeepinBen

February 21st, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^

My guess is his move made the team better for the bowl game. Denard had to get RB reps, and Norfleet is a freshman who is lower on the depth chart anyway. We were down CBs because a couple of guys got kicked off the team.... So yeah. He could really be that good at offense. The team just had an extra body at RB that needed a lot of work and they also needed bodies at CB. A temp switch makes a ton of sense.

maize-blue

February 21st, 2013 at 8:06 AM ^

The bottom line is Norfleet is going to be making more big plays on offense then he ever could have on defense.