Brett Norfleet TE Missouri | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Brett Norfleet TE Missouri
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Inline Multi-Role TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 06/04/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.66 seconds (78%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.0 DOB: 06/05/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROLE: Inline Multi-Role TE | |
| Last Updated: 06/04/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.66 seconds (78%*) | |
| Age: 21.0 DOB: 06/05/2004 | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 80.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 98.9 | |
| Hands: |
|
62% |
| Short Receiving: |
|
73% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
|
71% |
| Deep Threat: |
|
76% |
| Blocking: |
|
42% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#221
Position rank:
#11
|
||
| College Games: 23 College Snaps: 830 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 90/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jake Briningstool - Clemson |
|
74% |
| Greg Dulcich - UCLA |
|
71% |
| Zack Kuntz - Old Dominion |
|
70% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Standing at 6'7" with a wiry 235-pound frame, Brett Norfleet carved out an impressive niche in Missouri's offensive attack during his first two collegiate seasons. The St. Charles, Missouri native burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2023, earning SEC All-Freshman honors after working his way into the starting lineup midway through the season. His breakout performance came in the regular season finale against Arkansas, where he hauled in two touchdown passes to help cap off an outstanding rookie campaign that saw him record 18 catches for 197 yards and three scores.Norfleet's 2024 sophomore season was hampered by injury concerns that forced him to miss contests against Buffalo and Iowa, but he still managed to post solid production when healthy. Starting eight games throughout the year, he increased his reception total to 26 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns while continuing to develop as both a receiver and in-line blocker. His most productive outing came against Arkansas once again, where he posted a season-high 50 receiving yards, demonstrating the kind of big-play ability that made him such a coveted recruit coming out of high school.
The consensus four-star prospect was rated as high as the 242nd overall recruit nationally by 247Sports and ranked among the top tight end prospects in his class across all major recruiting services. What makes Norfleet's story particularly compelling is his two-sport background - he was heavily recruited as a Division I baseball pitcher before suffering a labrum injury that ultimately steered him toward focusing solely on football. His athleticism and competitive fire were evident early, as he earned all-state honors in both football and baseball at Francis Howell, helping lead his high school team to a Class 5 State Championship as a senior.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Imposing 6'7" frame creates massive catch radius and makes him a nightmare matchup for defensive backs in the red zone.
- Soft hands and reliable target who has shown consistent ability to secure passes in traffic throughout his collegiate career.
- Deceptive mobility for his size with surprising acceleration that allows him to create separation on intermediate routes and run after the catch.
- Physical presence as an in-line blocker who embraces contact and shows genuine nastiness when engaged with linebackers and safeties.
- High football IQ and route-running savvy that has allowed him to become a trusted target despite limited experience at the position.
- Clutch performer who rises to the occasion in big moments, evidenced by his multiple touchdown performances against quality SEC competition.
- Versatile skill set that allows him to align anywhere from in-line to slot to out wide, giving offensive coordinators flexibility in their formations.
- Strong work ethic and coachable mentality that has enabled rapid development since arriving at Missouri as a raw but talented prospect.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lanky build - needs significant bulk to hold up against NFL-caliber pass rushers and linebackers in blocking assignments.
- Limited deep speed and acceleration means he's unlikely to threaten defenses vertically or create explosive plays down the seam consistently.
- Blocking technique remains inconsistent with footwork and hand placement issues that better athletes will exploit at the next level.
- Relatively small sample size of high-level production due to injuries and limited target share in Missouri's offensive system.
- Needs refinement in route running precision and timing, particularly on comeback routes and option concepts where quarterback chemistry is crucial.
Scouting Report: Summary
Norfleet's freakish 6'7" frame immediately catches your eye on film, but the reality is more complex than his impressive measurements suggest. While his receiving ability shows genuine promise with reliable hands and solid route-running instincts, the blocking deficiencies create immediate concerns about his three-down viability. NFL defensive coordinators will quickly identify his struggles with hand placement and leverage, forcing offensive coordinators to be creative about when and how they deploy him.The receiving upside is legitimate - he's shown consistent production across all levels of the field and possesses the kind of catch radius that can bail out quarterbacks in tight windows. However, his limited burst and acceleration mean he's unlikely to stress defenses vertically, making him more of a possession receiver than a dynamic playmaker. Teams will need to scheme him open rather than rely on his ability to separate, which puts additional pressure on offensive design and execution.
What makes Norfleet intriguing despite his limitations is the coachability factor and gradual improvement he's demonstrated throughout his college career. His willingness to embrace the physical aspects of blocking, even while lacking the technical refinement, suggests he won't shy away from the grunt work required to succeed. The question becomes whether he can add the necessary strength and polish his technique quickly enough to justify roster spots and development time. Teams looking for immediate tight end help should look elsewhere, but those with patience and a strong developmental program could find themselves with a valuable red zone weapon and reliable third-down target once he matures physically and technically.
How other scouting services rate Brett Norfleet (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
169.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.