High School football: Springfield’s Norman makes college decision

The 5-10, 184-pound Norman made first-team All-Ohio last season as the Wildcats marched all the way to the Division I state championship game.

He finished second in the GWOC with 95 tackles and had previously reported offers from Akron, Toledo, Findlay and Tiffin, along with the Eagles.

Norman is one of nearly two dozen area prospects in the class of 2023 who have received interest from FBS schools so far, though recruiting is likely to ramp up with spring football underway across the country.

That group includes a half-dozen Wildcats, led by receivers Anthony Brown and Shawn Thigpen.

Brown is a four-star prospect in 247Sports Composite rankings while Thigpen is a three-star.

Brown has offers from across the country, including numerous Power 5 schools, while Thigpen’s 10 offers include Syracuse, Kentucky, Indiana and multiple MAC schools.

Other Wildcats on the Division I college radar Tyron Barnes, Daylen Bradley and Tawfig Jabbar Jr.

Wayne offensive linemen Josh Padilla and Evan Tengesdahl have verbally committed to Ohio State and Cincinnati, respectively, while Miamisburg tight end Jackson McGohan is headed to Cincinnati as well, and Fairfield defensive back Josiah Jackson gave his pledge to West Virginia.