The Tennessee Vols had an under-the-radar superstar on their roster in 2024 and no one realized it
The Tennessee Vols had an under-the-radar superstar on the roster during the 2024 season and I'm not sure anyone in Knoxville realized it. Edge rusher James Pearce and running back Dylan Sampson were the Vols' most talked-about NFL prospects for 2024, while defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott remained largely under the radar. Norman-Lott, however, could end […]
The Tennessee Vols had an under-the-radar superstar on the roster during the 2024 season and I'm not sure anyone in Knoxville realized it.
Edge rusher James Pearce and running back Dylan Sampson were the Vols' most talked-about NFL prospects for 2024, while defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott remained largely under the radar.
Norman-Lott, however, could end up being a first round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft based on the praise he's receiving at the Senior Bowl this week.
The California native has received rave reviews this week for his pass rush ability and his run-stopping ability.
Norman-Lott, who spent two seasons at Tennessee after transferring from Arizona State, played just 17.3 snaps per game for the Vols in 2024.
For the season, Norman-Lott played 226 snaps—fewer than defensive linemen Dominic Bailey (416), Bryson Eason (363), and Jaxson Moi (246). That's despite Norman-Lott being the Vols' highest-graded defensive lineman (per Pro Football Focus) with at least 200 snaps.
In Tennessee's loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Norman-Lott played only 13 snaps.
Earlier this month, an AFC director of college scouting questioned why Norman-Lott didn't play more for the Volunteers in 2024.
"I know they had a lot of talent up front, but why did he play so little?" said the AFC director of college scouting to ESPN. "I would have liked to see him play more in a full-time role, especially on early downs."
Tennessee wisely utilizes a deep defensive line rotation under defensive line coach Rodney Garner and defensive coordinator Tim Banks. That approach allows players to stay fresh deep into games.
That's generally a smart approach, but it's still perplexing why Norman-Lott didn't see more time on the field in 2024 (Penn State's Abdul Carter and Michigan's Mason Graham, for example, both averaged 45 snaps per game in 2024).
Getting your best players on the field as often as possible should always be part of the plan in college football. Tennessee's defense played at a high level in 2024, but it could've been even more disruptive if Norman-Lott had seen the field more often.
