West Virginia Piques the Interest of 2023 Four-Star Tight End Brett Norfleet

Standing at 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, Brett Norfleet is a big recruit. And that’s not just because he’s a giant on the football field either.

Norfleet, a 2023 four-star tight end prospect from Francis Howell High School in Saint Charles, Missouri, is a versatile tight end/defensive end for Francis Howell, but it appears he’s destined to become the next oversized tight end in college football.

With offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida State, Iowa State, Kansas State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Washington already on Norfleet’s radar, West Virginia jumped into the mix.

Thankful to receive an offer to play football for West Virginia University‼️🔵🟡@Howell_FB @Coachchojnacki @JPRockMO @AllenTrieu @RWrightRivals pic.twitter.com/z0nrt752gR

— brett_norfleet88 (@brettnorfleet5) October 29, 2021

Norfleet’s relationship with WVU hasn’t been going on for long, beginning on Sept. 1 with the NCAA’s allowance of collegiate recruiting, but he’s built relationships with WVU tight ends coach Travis Trickett and director of recruiting Scott Gaspar over that time period.

Over the past couple of months, Norfleet has traded messages with both coaches on a regular basis — and phone calls when time permits — but it’s still an ongoing process.

“I was grateful to receive an offer from a top program and have the opportunity to play for West Virginia,” Norfleet told WV Sports Now. “The night I received the offer, I was working on my homework when coach Trickett wanted to talk.”

While Norfleet isn’t too well versed with WVU’s program, gaining his information around the program from what he’s sent by others and watching WVU games when he can on Saturdays, he’d love to visit if the opportunity presents itself.

With Francis Howell just recently bowing out in the 2021 MSHSAA Class 6-A playoffs, Norflett has spent his time pouring his entire being into his team. And while Francis Howell didn’t reach its lofty goals set before the season, Norfleet’s junior season proved his immense potential.

Norfleet racked up 348 receiving yards and four touchdowns on just 22 catches while accumulating 13 tackles (eight solo), five tackles for loss and a sack this season.

With his receiving prowess, and positional versatility, Norfleet is a dynamic threat in the Francis Howell offense, and his future impact will likely mirror his high school experience. With current WVU tight end Mike O’Laughlin in the midst of an injury-ridden senior season, Norfleet has still seen the potential impact top tight ends can have in the WVU offense.

“The recruiting process has been very hectic and can be overwhelming at times,” Norfleet said. “I try to take each day as it goes and enjoy the opportunities I’ve been given. I like how West Virginia uses their tight ends and how I could be a good fit for them.”

Without a timeline in making his recruiting decision, with another high school season ahead of him, Norfleet is ready to just enjoy his recruiting process and soak up as much information as he can throughout the process.

247Sports rates Norfleet as the 106th-ranked recruit in the class, checking in as the 10th-ranked tight end and the fourth-ranked recruit from Missouri. Rivals rates him as the 222nd-ranked recruit in the class, coming in as the 12th-ranked tight end and seventh-ranked recruit from Missouri.

While Norfleet has made visits to Michigan, Michigan State and Tennessee this season, he still hasn’t picked up a projection from either 247Sports or Rivals yet.