WPIAL & City League Football Player Preview: Keith Norman is showing up in the city

University Prep's Keith Norman holds his helmet while standing for a picture.

SOURCE: (HUDL, Keith Norman)

One in a series on motivated high school football players in the WPIAL and City League.

As an offensive football player, when number 99 comes running at you, you better find a way to run away from number 99. University Prep's football player Keith Norman wears number 99 for the football team and is known as the team's star linebacker. His hard hitting, hard tackling, and great timing is what makes him stand out at the city school. WPIAL Insider has Norman listed as the number two prospect in the City League in the Class of 20201 right behind Westinghouse's Darius Bruce. His 83 tackles in 2019 helped him earn his spot on the All-City team as he was also able to help his University Prep team make the City League Championship game in 2019. However, in that championship game in 2019, University Prep lost to Westinghouse by a score of 12-2.

"After that City League championship loss, I think our team learned to never underestimate and judge, but the biggest learning part was, 'You need 11 to win,'" said Norman, who plays both linebacker and tight end.

Norman, who stands at 6'4" at 209 lbs., has been practicing hard to get better at football during the COVID-19 pandemic as he has been practicing anytime and anywhere that he can. Whether it is in the rain, or in the sand, Norman is going to find a way to use his surroundings to practice and become a better football player.

His hard work has led him to college football offers from schools in Robert Morris University, University of Toledo, and Lake Erie College. He actually just got the offer from Robert Morris University yesterday. The schools have been offering Norman as a linebacker.

"I felt like 'HARD WORK PAYS OFF'; I was so excited to get those offers because last year I was unknown as a football player and now schools want me, it is a dream come true," Norman said.

Norman got into the game of football when he was nine years old as he always considers himself as an athletic and rough kid. Football is always fun for him, and when he reached his growth spurt, he just took off as a player as he is able to use his size as an advantage. Just on Sunday, Norman was at a camp hosted by Evolve, and he enjoyed his experience at the camp.

"I learn that talent comes in 'ALL' shapes and sizes! I had a great time meeting up with other athletes [at the Evolve camp] and people in my element, so it was very fun," said Norman, who is only 17 years old.

Squats, push-ups, and linebacker stance shifting are some of the things that Norman is doing to become a better football player. He is so hype for this season to begin that he simply just cannot wait.

"THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST YEAR EVER, I'M STOKED!", Norman said. "CITY CHAMPIONSHIP IS OUR GOAL!"

Former University of Cincinnati football player and Schenley graduate Greg Blair Jr., who is also the brother of former University of Pittsburgh basketball player and NBA player DeJuan Blair, has had an impact on Norman's success as he considers Blair a role model.

"Greg Blair Jr, is a great mentor and role model for me, as he was a former college player, he has a lot in common with me, plus he has so much knowledge," said Norman.

Norman has had to deal with some adversity in his life with the death of his grandmother from a couple of years ago. Even though a part of his family is gone, he is working hard on the football field to make her proud and she is definitely proud of Norman.

"The death of my grandmother haunts me every day, it’s the most helpful thing I had over the last two years," said Norman.

Even though this summer has been nothing but abnormal, this is going to be a summer that Norman will never forget as he received his first three college football offers. He is continuing to work hard to get more offers and to win that City League championship that he is dreaming of.

Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13