Brady Norton, Michigan Transfer, Shares Strong Words for Ohio State: “Forget Those Guys”
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Brady Norton has quickly been making a name for himself in Ann Arbor this spring. The Cal Poly transfer came to Michigan seen as something of a developmental player, but he’s been catching attention during spring practices. Now, he’s in serious contention for a potential starting role on the Wolverines’ roster.
Ironically, Norton’s journey to Michigan was anything but typical — and it didn’t start with dreams of donning the maize and blue. Hailing from California, Norton grew up a Notre Dame supporter, largely because of his father’s influence. That meant Michigan wasn’t exactly his favorite team growing up.
“I’ve always been a Notre Dame fan — my dad passed that down to me,” Norton said. “To be honest, I didn’t like Michigan. I grew up kind of rooting against them. I think a lot of people do. They might be the most disliked team in the country, and honestly, I kind of like that now that I’m here. It’s a good thing. That kind of notoriety is earned. I always knew how intense the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry was, though — no doubt about that.”
Norton’s recruitment came with a bit of unexpected drama. In December, right after visiting Michigan, he received a surprise offer from Ohio State. It appeared his recruitment was heating up fast, with two powerhouse programs now interested in him. But the timing of that offer — and how it was handled — left a sour taste in Norton’s mouth.
He happened to be in a hotel room during his Michigan visit when the call from Ohio State came through. According to Norton, the Buckeyes had been mostly quiet up until that point, even ghosting him for a while. But once Michigan got involved, Ohio State suddenly seemed eager to extend an offer.
“They reached out while I was in the middle of my Michigan visit,” Norton recalled. “They had gone quiet on me, and then all of a sudden, after Michigan made their move, they wanted in. It rubbed me the wrong way. It didn’t feel genuine. It was like they only cared because Michigan showed interest. That didn’t sit right with me.”
While Norton did accept the offer over the phone initially, he quickly changed course. After reflecting on the situation, he made his decision — and it was final. He committed to Michigan that same night, making it public with a small jab: he crossed out the ‘O’ in the word “committed” in his social media post, a subtle yet clear message to the Buckeyes.
“I took the call and accepted their offer,” Norton explained. “But afterward, I sat with it for a bit and realized Michigan felt like home. I didn’t need to keep talking to Ohio State. So, I made my commitment to Michigan, posted it, and that was that. No more contact with them. I was done. Forget those guys.”
Now officially a Wolverine, Norton is looking ahead — particularly to late November when Michigan hosts Ohio State in one of college football’s most storied rivalries. While his disdain for Ohio State is growing, Norton admits he’s still getting used to the rivalry’s emotional weight. Unlike teammates who’ve been in Ann Arbor longer, he doesn’t yet feel the full intensity of the historic hatred — but he expects that to change.
“I feel it a little,” Norton said of the rivalry. “But I haven’t lived it like some of the guys here. They’ve been through it year after year. I’m still new to all this. I’m sure once that week comes around, I’ll feel it in full. That week is different — you can already tell from how people talk about it. They just call it The Game, and there’s a reason for that. I know it’ll hit me soon enough.”
Norton has already shown a willingness to embrace Michigan’s culture and competitive expectations. With the annual spring game approaching — a chance for fans to get a first look at the 2025 Wolverines — Norton will be among the players to watch at The Big House.
His performance this spring has surprised many, especially considering that most saw him as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate contributor. His toughness, vocal confidence, and competitive fire are starting to match what Michigan fans expect from their athletes — especially ones who play in high-stakes games like the annual matchup against Ohio State.
And while Norton’s early experience as a Wolverine is still unfolding, it’s clear he has no regrets about choosing Michigan over Ohio State. His message to the Buckeyes, and those who may have doubted him, was loud and clear.
There’s no love lost — and come November, he hopes to prove that Michigan is where he belonged all along.
