I.C. Norcom 2025 Preview
I.C. Norcom reached the Class 3 Region A football championship, winning two playoff games on their way to an 8-5 record. Head Coach Anthony Hawkins enters his 4th year at the helm of the Greyhounds.
I.C. Norcom Offense
Norcom has speed and playmakers at the receiving position. Senior Marquell Johnson is the only returning starter (6-1, 175), and he has received a Division 1 offer from Marshall. Johnson was credited with 41 receptions for 810 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Three juniors will vie for playing time with Di’Andre Atkins (5-9, 160), Danny Wade (5-11, 170), and Kaden Trotter (5-11, 170) in the mix.
Junior Emory Hurt (5-11, 170) was the backup quarterback last season, but he has a returning starter at running back in senior Carlik Franklin (5-7, 170) to rely on. Last year, Franklin had 665 yards in six games with five rushing touchdowns.
“Our offensive skill guys will be a young but talented group ready to make a name for themselves,” Hawkins said. “They are hungry and eager to learn at a high level.”
The offensive line will miss star sophomore Major Green, who transferred to IMG Academy. They have three starters returning, led by senior left tackle Tyre Tabron (6-3, 315) and senior right guard Daron Adams (6-4, 300). Tabron has an offer from Marshall. Junior Naeem Reaves (5-10, 335) played guard last season but is moving to center this year. Senior Rob Jones (6-2, 275) and junior Montaega Mitchell (6-5, 300) are both penciled in to start.
“Our offensive line will be big and physical this year, allowing our run game to flourish progressively throughout the season,” Hawkins said.
“Our offense will be very explosive with a plethora of athletes to get the football to,” Hawkins explained. “We have an Experienced and hungry group ready to make a name for themselves within the group of top-tier teams in the area.”
I.C. Norcom Defense
The Greyhounds will have five returning starters on defense, with four starters returning in the front seven. Tyre Tabron starts inside, and he is flanked by edge Treveon Styles (6-2, 225), who started as a sophomore. Styles is a D1 talent, and he has an offer from Marshall. Junior King Green (6-0, 210) and junior Dwayne Brown Jr (5-10, 280) will join the front four in the trenches.
Senior Jhari Whitfield (5-11, 190) and junior Jonathan Weaver Jr (5-9, 225) both return to their roles as starting linebackers. Whitfield and Tre Styles are the Greyhounds’ leading returning tacklers.
“Our front seven is the strong point with talent and experience that will get to the ball and play disciplined, hard-nose football,” Hawkins said.
I.C. Norcom has only one returning starter in the defensive backfield in senior Jahrel Simms (5-11, 185). The rest of the secondary will see mostly juniors playing significant roles.
“Our secondary is very inexperienced with varsity game play,” Hawkins said. “We will take pride and confidence in coaching these kids up to perform at a high level.”
He added, “Our defense will be fast, physical, disciplined, and well-coached. Our secondary will be young but athletic and smart. We have the potential to be a very good defense that will fly around the ball.”
2025 Outlook
Greyhounds 2025 Football Schedule On3
I.C. Norcom reached the Class 3 Region A football championship, winning two playoff games on their way to an 8-5 record. However, they lose two Rivals.com star-rated prospects: Matthew Outten, who is at Penn State, and sophomore Major Green, who has Power 5 offers. Still, Hawkins has produced three playoff wins in three years, and he always seems to have the Greyhounds in position to make the playoffs.