Christmas day flip joins Gamecocks class, becomes first commit of Beamer era
Isaiah Norris’ high school career ended in South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium.
Now his career will continue in that building with the South Carolina Gamecocks and former teammate Zacch Pickens.
The former T.L. Hanna two-way star and junior college product flipped from Middle Tennessee State to the Gamecocks on Christmas Day to become the first commit of the Shane Beamer era. The 6-foot, 170-pounder is the second junior college defender in the 2021 class and can sign in February.
Norris wasn’t a new name to the Gamecocks. Former coach Will Muschamp initiated the contact months ago, and running backs coach Des Kitchings has kept the conversation going. When Beamer gave him the opportunity to play in his home state, the deal was sealed.
“I chose Carolina because South Carolina is home,” Norris said. “Why go somewhere else and play when your home state recognizes your ability to be a game changer. I love my home state and I want to represent my home. Also, South Carolina has followed me since my senior year of high school and throughout my journey in junior college, and to finally become a Gamecock is everything. I believe that Coach Beamer represents a new era for Gamecock football. He is extremely positive and encouraging. I like the vibe he brings and his desire to make Gamecock football the best.”
Norris is currently enrolled at Georgia Military College. He does not plan to play in the spring to focus on his grades. He picked off four passes and made four tackles in 2019 at the New Mexico Military Institute.
Before that, he was an integral part of Hanna’s run to a 14-1 record and trip to the state title game in 2018. Pickens was a star on both sides of the ball, but Norris picked off a team-high four passes for a defense that allowed 16.8 points per game. He was also the second-leading rusher behind Pickens with 836 yards (he also led the team with 366 receiving yards and posted 18 total touchdowns).
In that game in Williams-Brice, the running back/defensive back made a pair of tackles and ran for a game-high 106 yards with a touchdown.
Norris is rated as the No. 62 junior college player in the country, eighth among corners and fourth among players from South Carolina in the 247 Sports composite rankings.
Norris will join his GMC teammate and fellow corner Marcellas Dial with the Gamecocks. Dial signed earlier this month. The Gamecocks now have 14 of their allotted 25 spots accounted for in the 2021 class.
“I see myself being a great coverage corner,” Norris said. “They told me that I was very talented and a versatile player. I was a gamechanger and they like my ability to be very physical in my position. They said my ability to play man to man is a need and will fit into their defense. Off the field, I see my goals being met academically at USC as well.”
Signed in early signing period
Jordan Davis — offensive lineman, Fairburn
O’Mega Blake — wide receiver, Rock Hill, South Carolina )
Caleb McDowell — running back, Leesburg, Georgia
Sam Reynolds — wide receiver, Alabaster, Alabama
Colton Gauthier — quarterback, Dacula, Georgia
Marcellas Dial — defensive back, Milledgeville, Georgia
Nicholas Barrett — defensive lineman, Goldsboro, North Carolina
JonDarius Morgan — offensive lineman, Birmingham, Alabama
Not signing until February
T.J. Sanders — defensive lineman, Marion, South Carolina
Isaiah Norris — defensive back, Anderson, South Carolina
This story was originally published December 25, 2020 at 2:00 PM.
