Bill Norton (American football)

Last updated

Bill Norton
No. 97 – Los Angeles Rams
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (2000-07-07) July 7, 2000 (age 25)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:335 lb (152 kg)
Career information
High school: Christian Brothers (Memphis, Tennessee)
College: Georgia (2019–2022)
Arizona (2023)
Texas (2024)
NFL draft: 2025: undrafted
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Bill Norton (born July 7, 2000) is an American professional football defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, Arizona Wildcats, and Texas Longhorns.

Contents

Early life and high school

Norton attended Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee. As a junior, he recorded 45 tackles with 16 being for a loss, and seven sacks. [1] As a senior, Norton notched 65 tackles with 12 being for a loss, and six sacks, and was named the DII-AAA Mr. Football award winner. [2] Coming out of high school, he was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Georgia Bulldogs over offers from schools such as Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. [3]

College career

Georgia

During his time with the Bulldogs from 2019 through 2022, Norton recorded 12 tackles, while utilizing a redshirt season, and helping the team to two national championships. [4] After the 2022 season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [5]

Arizona

Norton transferred to play for the Arizona Wildcats. [4] In 2023, he recorded 32 tackles with two and a half going for a loss, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles in 13 games. [6] After the season, Norton once again entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [6]

Texas

Norton transferred to play for the Texas Longhorns. [7] In 2024, he recorded 14 tackles with two being for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble in 15 games. [8] After the season, Norton declared for the 2025 NFL draft. [9]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5 in
(1.96 m)
325 lb
(147 kg)
32+14 in
(0.82 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
5.39 s1.95 s3.08 s5.13 s8.10 s22.0 in
(0.56 m)
7 ft 9 in
(2.36 m)
25 reps
All values from Pro Day [10] [11]

After not being selected in the 2025 NFL draft, Norton signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. [12] . He was waived on August 26. [13] . The next day, Norton was re-signed to the practice squad. [14]

Personal life

On August 25, 2019, Norton was arrested on a DUI charge under the age of 21. [15]

References

  1. Munz, Jason. "Georgia commitment Bill Norton leads way for CBHS football". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  2. Thompson, Khari. "Georgia football: Former Christian Brothers standout Bill Norton arrested on DUI charge". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  3. Murphy, Michael. "Bill Norton, Mr. Football winner from Christian Brothers, commits to Georgia". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Brezina, Austin. "Former Georgia defensive lineman Bill Norton commits to Arizona". On3.com. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  5. Williams, Jonathan. "BREAKING: Bill Norton Enters the Transfer Portal". Georgia Bulldogs on SI. SI.com. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Grubbs, Grant. "Arizona DL Bill Norton enters the NCAA Transfer Portal". On3.com. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  7. Spears, Justin. "Former Arizona DT Bill Norton transfers to Texas, reunites with DC Johnny Nansen". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  8. Vasquez, Cat. "NFL draft: Texas football DT Bill Norton scouting report". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  9. Dimmitt, Zach. "Texas Longhorns DT Bill Norton Confirms Departure for 2025". Texas Longhorns on SI. SI.com. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  10. "Bill Norton College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  11. "Bill Norton RAS". RAS.Football. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  12. Andress, JD. "Texas Longhorns' Bill Norton Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal". Texas Longhorns on SI. SI.com. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  13. "Rams waive 22 players, release one, waive/injured two in final group of cuts ahead of 2025 53-man roster deadline". TheRams.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  14. Miller, Wyatt (August 27, 2025). "Rams sign 16 players to initial 2025 practice squad". TheRams.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  15. Weiszer, Marc. "Georgia freshman lineman arrested on alcohol charges". Online Athens. Retrieved May 3, 2025.