Morice Norris

Norris was born on September 27, 2000, and grew up in Fresno, California. He grew up playing basketball and continued playing the sport while attending Sanger High School. As a senior, he tried out for the football team, after having been convinced to do so by two of his childhood friends, Arron Mosby and Jalen Moreno-Cropper, both of whom later played in the NFL. He opted to begin his college football career at the junior college level with Orange Coast College. ==College career==

Norris committed to Orange Coast as it allowed him to play both football and basketball. While attending the school, he lived in a two-bedroom apartment with five teammates, "staking out a corner of the living room and making the best of it," according to The Fresno Bee. However, near the end of the season, he "blew out his knee," although he was able to return for his 2019 sophomore season. The Fresno Bee noted that after his offer was withdrawn, "Norris was in scramble mode." That year, he started at nickelback in 12 games and made 57 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), six pass breakups and a sack. After receiving a waiver by the NCAA to play a final season in 2023, Norris totaled 59 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 10 pass breakups and 3.5 sacks as a senior, being named second-team All-Mountain West Conference (MW) while starting all 13 games. He was a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy as best player who started as a walk-on and was invited to the College Gridiron Showcase. ==Professional career==

After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Norris signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. Norris was re-signed to the team's practice squad on September 24. He was signed off the practice squad to the active roster on December 28. On August 8, 2025, Norris sustained a major injury during the Lions' Week 1 preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons that led to the game being prematurely suspended. Norris was hit in the head by Falcons running back Nathan Carter’s knee. The official result on his injury is yet to be confirmed. Norris was subsequently waived by the Lions on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. ==References==