Derry Norris, Spruce Creek's 3-star defensive lineman, verbally commits to Georgia Tech

PORT ORANGE — Derry Norris momentarily pulled a fast one in front of a crowded room of family, friends, teammates and coaches.

Spruce Creek's 6-foot-4, 270-pound rising senior defensive lineman took a Miami hat from his father, placed it upon his head — and tossed it aside. Then, Norris reached down beneath his table and picked a different ACC program instead.

Norris verbally committed to Georgia Tech on Friday night, choosing the Yellow Jackets not only over Miami but the Big 10 duo of Minnesota and Purdue. He took official visits to all four schools during the month of June, but Georgia Tech set a precedent no other program could clear.

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"There's always love for Miami, but I just feel like Georgia Tech is the best decision for me," said Norris, who intends to study engineering while playing for the Yellow Jackets.

"I just wanted to go somewhere to be myself. Once I went through all those visits, I had seen different things and compared the different schools. I just feel like Georgia Tech hit all the points right on the head without me asking anything."

Norris earned a Volusia-Flagler All-Area Defensive Player of the Year nomination as a junior after recording 13 tackles for loss, 9½ sacks and 20 quarterback pressures. Claiming more than three-dozen Division I offers, Norris is the No. 74 overall player on the USA TODAY Florida Network's Top 100 for the 2025 class.

Hawks coach Andy Price expects Norris to bulk up in college and play along the defensive interior.

"He's very explosive, and very fast. He ran a 4.6 (-second, 40-yard dash) laser a couple times last year," Price said. "I think he uses his hands well and strikes people. He's good against the run and is a very good pass rusher. Obviously the next level is a little more specialized, but I think early on he can help as both a run stuffer and pass rusher."

Spruce Creek's roster now features three Division I Football Bowl Subdivision-committed seniors: Norris, wide receiver Tony Kinsler (Pittsburgh) and defensive back Kamron Chamble (Kennesaw State). The Hawks went 7-4 last season, qualifying for the FHSAA's Region 3-4S playoffs.

Kinsler looks forward to potential head-to-head matchups against Norris following one last ride together. Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech are due to play three times between 2025-28, according to the ACC's future football schedule model.

"I've been playing him since like 10U (10-and-under)," Kinsler said. "It'll be a reuniting type of moment.

"They're, for sure, getting a dog."

Georgia Tech currently enjoys a top-20 national class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. Norris becomes the Yellow Jackets' 20th verbal commit, and fourth defensive lineman — joining Peach State edge rushers Andre Fuller (Loganville, Ga.) and Carrington Coombs (Dacula, Ga.), and defensive tackle Kamron Cullins (Kennesaw, Ga.).

The Yellow Jackets, who polished off a 7-6 campaign last December with a 30-17 victory over UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl, open the 2024 season with a trip to Ireland to face conference rival Florida State.

"Their recruiting class is definitely going to blow up with me coming in and helping them recruit," Norris said. "It's on the rise. By the time I get there, we should be going real deep and doing a lot."