'12 CO FB Clay Norgard (Signed to Colorado)

[Buffnik]

Rivals
Scout
ESPN
247 Sports


Mountain Vista H.S. (Highlands Ranch, CO)

Ht: 6-foot-1
Wt: 240 lbs
40: 4.54 secs

Rivals rating: 3*-5.6rr; #4 FB
Scout rating: 3*; #105 DE
ESPN rating: 3*-78 grade; #56 DE
247 rating: 3*-84 rating; #78 OLB

Reported Offers: Colorado

[Buffnik]

He's actually playing strongside DT in Mountain Vista's 34 front, but unless he puts on significant weight in the next year, Rivals is projecting him as a weakside DE. Dad's a Buff. Mom also graduated from CU. We should be in a good position next year for Norgard.

Here's the info from the latest Rivals article:

"Clay is a terror," said Mountain Vista head coach Ric Cash. "He is a very, very good player and is someone to definitely watch as he progresses and develops into a prospect for the next level."

Norgard recently turned 16 years old. He is already benching over 300 pounds and squatting close to 500 pounds in the weight room.

His father Erik Norgard played collegiately at the University of Colorado and spent 10 years in the NFL as a player.

Read more...

[sackman]

His dad was an offensive lineman, IIRC.

[Boulder Buff]

The first player in a very long time that I consider a CU lock.

[AlferdJasper]

For more on dad Erik Norgard:

http://www.younggunspd.com/index.cfm?page=Toshe%27s%20Bio

As a true freshman at Western Washington University in 1984, Erik earned the starting Right Guard position in the Vikings high-scoring Run-and-Shoot offense. Transferring to the University of Colorado as a walk-on in spring of 1985, he earned a scholarship there the following year. He obtained the starting Center spot in his junior season, and was part of a unit that was ranked 2nd in the nation in rushing. His senior year brought Team Captain, 1st Team All-Big Eight and Honorable Mention All-American honors, as well as the ranking of 2nd in the nation in rushing again.

[FlaBuff]

Norgard was my recruiting host when I visited as a high school senior...good lord I feel like DBT, I wonder if there's a pink, er, Burgundy suit in 56 long. He's already taller than his dad. I use Norgard Sr. to motivate my smaller linemen. 10 yrs. in the NFL when you are under 6 ft as an O-lineman is legendary.

[AlferdJasper]

If my math is right, Erik left CU for the NFL (graduated I would assume) just before the National Championship year. But he must have been cheering the team on pretty hard from where he was.

[FlaBuff]

your math is right. His senior season was 1988. Big combacks @Iowa and CSU, JJ's fumble in the 7-0 game vs. Neb. 14-17 vs OU at night...buttwhipped by chokelahoma state and barry sanders, Freedom Bowl...Leuenburg inherited the Center spot for the 89 campaign.

[JimmyBuff]

The first player in a very long time that I consider a CU lock.

Nice.

[SuperiorBuff]

Joel Klatt's dad is an assistant coach there, that can't hurt as he is a huge CU fan.

[sliderNcider]

Clay's mother posts on the rivals colorado prep site as CUBuffs4Life FWIW

[Highflyer]

Clay's mother posts on the rivals colorado prep site as CUBuffs4Life FWIW

Is she providing any insight as to his recruitment?

[Buffnik]

Clay is another rumored unofficial for the Georgia game. He's definitely on the list of guys we can't miss on for the 2012 class.

[Buffnik]

http://colorado.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1161669

Getting better for next season is one of the biggest priorities that Norgard has.

"I've just been lifting and taking it easy. I've been really working on a lot of speed training and lifting stuff. I've been relaxing and then getting ready for track and football next year."

[Buffnik]

Clay is definitely working on his speed and agility. He's projecting as an ILB right now.

Here are his highlight videos from '09 and '10:





It would be nice if Jon Embree could start getting commitments from in-state prospects at the CU spring open house. Norgard would be a great guy to start that trend with.