Interview: 4-Star 2023 Missouri TE/WR Brett Norfleet is a Mismatch for Any Defense
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Imagine being a safety, nickel, corner, and/or a linebacker seeing a 6-7, 225-pound, tight end/receiver with wheels coming down the line headed right for you… what do you do? Honestly, what can you do? Brett Norfleet is an instant mismatch maker on offense helping Francis Howell High School take apart Class 6 Missouri squads, and he can block. Adding to all that he does, he is also a rising talent as a defensive end.
As the 2020 season took flight for the Vikings, so did their Class of 2023 talent. Norfleet was so athletic and versatile his coaches were able to line him up tight becoming a glorified offensive tackle on running downs and able to send him down the seam or dragging underneath the coverage exposing defenses. He also got time as an H-back and outside receiver confounding assured defenses.
As word spread of Norfleet’s abilities, the offers started piling up. The four-star prospect is holding six scholarship offers as he prepares for his sophomore campaign.
Interview
Brett, your talents had a big impact on the success of the Vikings throughout the 2020 season. Because you are so athletic, the coaches were using your skills in many different ways. Let’s first cover all the different positions you played this season.
This year I was mainly at tight end, defensive tackle, and nose guard. My coaches also split me out and lined me up in the slot and as an H-back.
As a tight end, you were blocking and going out on routes. How did you see your talents grow throughout the season in that dual role?
This year my coach worked with me to get my blocking down, we run a tight end the majority of time. There are improvements I needed to make, and I made those. One big thing was catching the ball first and then what to do after that.
The coaches didn’t just wait to line you up on the outside in the red zone, they were putting you out there at different points on various drives. How did your skills as an outside receiving threat improve?
It took a few weeks before they put me in at outside receiver. Our receivers’ coach preached “go get the ball and use your gifts.” When our quarterback starts scrambling, I like to put it like this, in Madden it is called The QB playmaker, the receiver goes away from the defender to help out the quarterback.
On defense, what all were you doing?
My playing time was limited, we had two really good upperclassmen. At Francis we don’t play guys full-time both ways. My job was to make plays, wreak havoc, and stop the ball.
The Vikings (9-2) had a three-game run into the playoffs taking on Class 6 competition. How were you able to step up your game during the clutch games this season?
Our playoff run was a wild one. It did not end the way we wanted. The COVID stuff made it a next man up mentality. I needed to step up and fill in for the guys that were not there.
Which game throughout the season was your personal best and why?
The Fort Zumwalt North game. Their team had a stud athlete who was a running back and an outside linebacker. My coach gave me an assignment to take him out on the defensive side; he did not make one play. I completed my assignment. We lost that game (33-28), but that was my best game.
Which areas of your game will you focus on this offseason?
The things I will focus on the most are my strength, speed, route running, and my blocking.
Because of your size and athleticism, it is my guess you are hearing different college coaches telling you they see you at different positions at the next level. At which position are you receiving the majority of your offers?
Right now, the majority are at tight end.
How many offers do you have?
I have six football offers and three for baseball.
Nice. Which programs have offered you for baseball?
The same as football; Mizzou, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Which positions do you play?
I am a pitcher and play first base, and I can play the outfield
Which pitches are you throwing?
A fastball, curve, and a change-up. I am still trying to find that fourth pitch.
What is your max on the gun?
My max was 92 mph.
Impressive. With football, which program was the last to offer you?
My last offer was from Florida State.
Norfleet’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Florida State, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, and Tennessee
Being an underclassman, you may not fully know the answer to this, but which schools are showing recruiting interest?
I am not sure. I have follows on Twitter from Arizona State, Notre Dame, USC, West Virginia, LSU, Stanford, and Iowa. That is all that I can think of right now.
When visits begin again in 2021, which schools might you go see?
I am keeping my options open, but I would like to visit Mizzou, Notre Dame, Iowa, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kansas State; teams like that.
Brett, I appreciate your time today. It was fun covering all this ground. Wishing you success this offseason with your workout until we talk again.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Norfleet family; Brett Norfleet
Photo credit: Jan Salmon; No. 88 Brett Norfleet hauls in a pass