Detroit Martin Luther King HS
Detroit, Michigan
Height: 5’7 Weight: 170
40 time: Low: 4.34 High: 4.75 sec
Offer Sheet: Michigan, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Tennessee
(Received Interest from Alabama, UCLA)
Best Case Comparison & Projection: De’Anthony Thomas
Most Probable Comparison & Projection: Jeremy Gallon
McGuffie Rating: 3.5 ‘Guffies (out of 5)
PROs: Norfleet has both excellent speed and quickness. Shows good vision and a decisive burst through open lanes. Possesses an excellent cutback move and acceleration to full speed. Has good hands and deadly in open space. Defenders rarely gets an second chance at bringing Norfleet down due to his athleticism. Possesses a good frame to develop into an efficient blocker in both the running and passing game.
CONs: Size. Quarterbacks must be more accurate when targeting Norfleet due to his lack of height. Will be physically challenged coming off the line of scrimmage. At full speed, Norfleet has a tendency to carry the football away from his chest and rib cage. At times, Norfleet is an upright runner with a high center of gravity- this diminishes his ability to break away from tackles, especially at the next level.
Highlight Videos:
Quote: "He ran like how he was: New Money. Coach Harvel calls him 'Pit' because he runs like a pit-- like a pit bull.'' – Detroit King defensive tackle, Mike Bruise
Bottom Line: Norfleet is a true BCS caliber athlete. His tapes really remind me of Vincent Smith, but faster. Given his pass catching ability, quick burst, and excellent vertical speed - my assessment of Norfleet is that he can be an excellent third down back. It’ll be interesting to see how the coaching staff will ultimately utilize him.
Norfleet is recruited as a slot receiver and return specialist, but he has made clear that he sees himself as a running back. It is always hard to forecast any recruit’s future but I unfortunately feel that Dennis is slotted at positions in which opportunities for him to make plays with the football are rare. With his athletic talents, there is no doubt that Dennis will be on the field, but will he be lost in the shuffle between slot receiver and running back? Will he be able to out-finesse physically imposing BCS defenders who will are his equal in athletic talent? With these questions in mind, I have reservations about his productivity. His development in run block as a slot and pass protection as a third down back will also ultimately determine Norfleet’s true value.
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