LB Carter Norrie Delta State University Scouting Report

Carter Norrie 

LB Delta State University

6’1 223

Overall grade: 78

Player Profile

Strengths: 

• Fluid read steps and flow to the ball, no wasted movement to operate in short areas
• Reads pullers well, timely plugs gaps
• Understands leverage/space in coverage 
• Quick trigger to the point of attack
• Flashes closing speed to finish plays and disrupt at POA
• Turn and run speed to match seams from the inside half 
• Active eyes as a middle hole defender (scans and flips to read routes)
• Matches routes quickly after passing off verticals
• Progresses/processes like a quarterback on defense

Weaknesses: 

• Missing initial twitch/burst
• Movement is stingy or stiff if not playing with timeliness
• Frame will limit him to an off-ball role 

Overview:

Norrie was the quarterback on defense at Delta State University. Every play he makes is not due to his athleticism but rather his timeliness. He is consistently in the right place at the right time. He reads his run/pass keys extremely quickly allowing him to stay a step ahead progressing to where to fill the gap, flow, bang or drop into coverage. 

Norrie is not a quick athlete but has the straight-line and closing speed to run with verticals, trigger downhill and rush through the A gap if asked to. As a run defender Norrie always has clean feet to take a read step up, left and right to start his flow or fill to the POA. Norrie’s reaction time is what will counter his average athleticism at best at the next level. His coverage skills are very impressive as a zone defender. You can see Norrie align his active eyes with his hips to put him in the right spot in coverage. It is so fluid that it feels like he floats to the ball carrier while still looking to inflict punishment. 

Norrie will need to work on his lateral agility, foot speed and potentially fill out his frame to become an all-around linebacker. For now Norrie could be instantly inserted as a 3rd down coverage LB and slot in at the WILL linebacker spot. Norrie’s intelligence helped build in a quick trigger to his game that most players out of college don’t always have.  

Scout: Andrew Bohovich