1990s 

John C. Norman

Robert E. Lee High School (1994-1996)

Position: Defensive Back

Coach: John Parchman

Few defensive backs in Texas high school football history left a legacy as impactful as John Norman of Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas. A playmaking defender with elite instincts and game-changing ability, Norman was a force in the Rebels' secondary from 1994 to 1996.

As a junior in 1995, Norman intercepted 11 passes for 449 yards and four touchdowns, securing his place among the top defensive backs in the country. That season, he set a Texas high school record with a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown against Abilene Cooper. His dominance continued into his senior year, where he recorded 80 tackles, six interceptions, and earned his second consecutive first-team all-state selection.

Norman’s accolades were numerous—he was a 1996 Parade All-American, named to the Texas Football Super Team, and ranked among the top five defensive backs in the nation. SuperPrep listed him as the fourth-best defensive back in the country and one of the top overall prospects in Texas. The Dallas Morning News and Houston Chronicle ranked him among the top 100 players in the state, while the Waco Tribune-Herald and Lubbock Avalanche-Journal recognized him as one of the best in the South Plains region.

His name remains etched in Midland Lee’s record books, holding career marks for most interceptions (20) and most in a single season (10). He also recorded two pick-sixes in a single game, returning interceptions for 37 and 36 yards.

A standout in track and field, Norman placed second in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 36.9 at the 1998 state meet and was part of a third-place 4x400 relay team in 1997.

Recruited by nearly every major Division I program, Norman chose Texas Tech University, where he became a three-year starter at safety and linebacker. His senior season was his best—106 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. He also excelled on special teams, leading the Big 12 in punt returns and ranking ninth nationally with a 28.4-yard average, including an 86-yard return.

John Norman’s legacy as one of Texas high school football’s most dynamic defensive playmakers rightfully earns him a place in the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.