One of the leading receivers from the MAC has decided to join a former MAC institution.
Marshall secured the commitment of former Akron wide receiver Adrian Norton through the transfer portal on Wednesday, with Norton confirming the news on Instagram.
Norton emerged as one of the breakout stars in the MAC for 2024. After catching just nine passes as a freshman in 2023, he stepped up with 43 receptions for 831 yards and seven touchdowns in his sophomore season. He excelled as a deep threat in Akron’s offense, averaging 19.3 yards per catch, which ranked fourth among all FBS receivers with at least 40 catches.
His 831 receiving yards ranked sixth in the MAC, and his seven touchdowns tied for eighth, earning him Second Team All-MAC honors. Norton surpassed the 100-yard mark three times last fall, setting a personal best of 168 yards in an October game against Western Michigan. Consistency was a hallmark of his performance, as there was only one game from Week 2 to Week 13 where he didn’t exceed 55 receiving yards, and he averaged under 14 yards per reception only once in that span.
The former Zip is joining the reigning Sun Belt champion Thundering Herd, who have a new coaching staff with head coach Tony Gibson, offensive coordinator Rod Smith, and wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey. Despite finishing with a 10-3 record and winning a conference title, Marshall needed a playmaker like Norton at wide receiver.
In 2024, Marshall struggled in the passing game, ranking 115th in aerial offense and producing only one receiver with over 400 yards—Christian Fitzpatrick, who transferred to Oklahoma State this offseason. The Thundering Herd lost their top six receivers from last year in terms of yardage, so the 2025 receiving corps will largely consist of transfers. Along with Norton, other new additions include Demarcus Lacey (Jacksonville State), Antonio Harmon (Mississippi State), Jakolbe Baldwin (NC State), Tony Martin (Western Michigan), Zavier Short (Appalachian State), and Ben Turner (West Liberty [Division II]).
None of the transfers were as productive as Norton in 2024; Lacey had the best stats among them, finishing with eight catches for 84 yards for CUSA champion Jacksonville State.
Norton and the newly revamped Thundering Herd receiving corps will make their debut on August 30 against reigning SEC champion Georgia in what promises to be a tough matchup.
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