Former ASU Fullback Goes Pro

ASU added another success story to its history as a former Ram fullback officially became a professional football player in the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the Omaha Beef franchise on Oct. 24, 2011.

John Norcott played two seasons for the Rams from 2009-2010 and in his senior year, he was chosen for the 2010 All-Lone Star Conference 2nd team and Don Hensen Super Region 3rd team.

Norcott said he was thrilled about his opportunity.

"I'm looking to contribute to both side of the ball," he said. "Signing with Omaha is very exciting, and I'm looking forward to proving myself at this level. I hope to help Omaha excel in playoffs and to a championship."

Norcott is not only a football player, but a five-time National Champion in power lifting and a weight room fanatic. The news of his achievement did not surprise anyone who knew him at ASU.

"The guy has been a real standout player,"   ASU weightlifting coach Kelcey Hite said. "He was a terrific fullback and he progressed a lot as a football player and as an athlete since he got here. I wouldn't have been surprised if he had gone free agent to the NFL."

Chad Herring, Hite's assistant, said he was proud of him.

"I only saw him play one season, actually, but [I] knew he was a very hard worker and one of his dreams was to play football professionally," Herring said. "He earned it. I think he deserved it."

John Norcott's dream became a reality and it was not an easy task as his power lifting abilities were not helping him on the football field.

"When he got here, he was a strong guy already, he was already a three or four-time national champion as a power lifter, but that kind of strength that he had didn't translate to the field as well as it should have," Hite said. "He was a really good power lifter, but doing some of the things that we do here and focus on like using his hips was where he had a weakness and he worked hard to correct that. He came up here four days a week at six in the morning to work on his hips, his flexibility, working on blocking technique; doing things that would help increase his strength."

John Norcott's work ethic caught the eye of his coach and offensive coordinator Russell Gaskamp, as well as his fellow teammates which transitioned him into the role of a leader.

"He pushed guys to work hard in there," Gaskamp said. He was kind of a teacher down there. That was probably where he had the greatest effect. He was very optimistic, very positive, he helped rally the troops, and the guys gravitated toward him because they liked being around him."

As John Norcott prepares for his new role with the Omaha Beef, he can rest assured that he left an impact on the men in the Rams locker room and that ASU wishes him well.