By Brett Shweky/Sports Director
Quarterback Stone Norton could be the future of the FIU Panthers as the potential Mr. Football award winner, and the 2019 commit has been creating quite a name for himself.
The Tennessee high school superstar is one of the three finalists for the Division II Class A Mr. Football award and is the top-ranked player in the Panthers’ upcoming recruiting class.
“I pretty much knew after I visited that this is the place where I want to be,” Norton said. “The campus, the city, the players, the coaching staff. I would say the main reason is the coaching staff. Just Coach Davis is second to none.”
After pledging his commitment to FIU earlier this year on Wednesday, June 20, the pro-style passer has been lighting up opposing defenses and carrying his team to a remarkable year.
The Davidson Academy senior led his team to an undefeated 10-0 record in the regular season and is the midst of a high school postseason run.
In their opening game of the playoffs, Norton completed 15 of his 24 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns in route to 51-20 victory over Grace Baptist Academy.
So far, the Nashville, Tenn. native has thrown for 2,935 yards with 37 and only two interceptions this season and has done so while maintaining a 69.3 completion percentage.
The top-ranked Bears played their next game against Nashville Christian at home in the semifinals of the state championship, where the team won 48-21. Norton ended the outing with two passing touchdowns on 57.1 percent completion.
Davidson Academy awaits Friendship Christian in the state championship on Friday, Nov. 30.
“I kind of think about both. Like, tomorrow will be the last time I ever play here at Davidson [Academy]. So I think about that a lot,” said Norton on his mindset the day before his final high school home game against the Vikings. “But, I also think about what the future holds and getting to play at FIU.”
Norton displays stellar deep-ball accuracy and has the keen ability to maneuver around the pocket to put the throw on the money.
He is talented at throwing on the run and can make highlight plays at almost anytime.
During the team’s 62-56 victory over Fayette Academy on Thursday, Oct. 4, Norton pulled off one of the most exciting plays of the Tennessee high school season.
In a crucial third-down situation, Norton who is a right-handed passer made the unthinkable play of switching the ball to his off-hand to avoid being tackled and to complete the pass.
Norton’s right arm was held by a defender holding onto him, forcing him to switch hands before the other defender came in for the tackle.
He finished the night throwing for 466 yards and six touchdowns while completing 71 percent of his passes.
The three-star quarterback is the top recruit for the Panthers in the 2019 class but is just the tip of the iceberg in this talented group.
Miami Central running back Lexington Joseph and Lyman wide receiver Nate Jefferson recently committed to the Panthers in November and offer the team elite speed and a diverse skill set.
“It’s been good. We all talk to each other. We have a group message, and we talk to each other individually. They’re all good guys and really good athletes and I look forward to playing with each of them,” Norton said.
Joseph is a five-foot-six speedster who has the ability to cut on a dime and shake a defender out of their cleats.
He has rushed for 1,030 yards and four touchdowns so far this season and is among the top playmakers on the 10-2 Miami Central squad.
The three-star running back pledged his commitment over Boston College and Florida Atlantic.
Jefferson was a multi-versatile weapon for the Lyman Greyhounds in 2018 as he led the team in both rushing (746 yards) and receiving (604 yards).
He found the endzone a combined 19 times during the season and also returned a punt and kickoff for a touchdown this season.
He committed to FIU over Air Force and Appalachian State.
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