Isaiah Norris ready to take next step in South Carolina's defensive back room
Isaiah Norris didn’t grow up too far away from Columbia, but he certainly took the scenic route before arriving to play football at South Carolina.
A product of T.L. Hanna, where he was teammates with Gamecocks defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, Norris began his college career at New Mexico Military Institute. He would later transfer to play at Georgia Military College.
“It was challenging but I got through it,” said Norris. “I didn’t really have the SAT scores (coming out of high school), that’s what really killed me. So I had to take the JUCO route and I made it through… I played against some of the best guys in the nation. It made me better and who I am today. It made me go hard.”
Despite not competing in 2020 due to COVID-19 canceling Georgia Military College’s 2020 season, Norris was considered one of the top JUCO cornerback prospects in the country. Last season he played in each of the final four games, including seeing his most action against Clemson and North Carolina.
Norris told Gamecock Central that he’s only been getting work at the true cornerback position and not nickel. Arriving on campus late last summer, he feels he’s been able to get caught up on what USC is looking for him to do, especially after getting some in-game experience.
“They expect me to step up and that’s what I’m gonna do… Just come in this summer and run my butt off and do whatever the coaches want me to do,” Norris said. “Just step up, gain weight, get in the weight room and get stronger.”
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