One of the University of Miami's valuable inside bruisers is now in the NFL.
But it sure took a long time Saturday for him to get there, no doubt causing him substantial stress along the way, especially after leaving school a year early to pursue his dream.
Kendrick Norton, the 6-3, 312-pound, run-stopping defensive tackle who plugged up the middle of a talented Hurricanes front line, was drafted as the 24th pick of the seventh and final round by the Carolina Panthers — 242nd overall — on Saturday.
Norton left school after his junior season to enter the NFL Draft, but wrestled with the decision, announcing it on Jan.