Storm Norton Bio
Storm Willis Norton (born May 16, 1994) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing around 309 pounds, he plays one of the most physically demanding positions on the offensive line. Norton played college football for the Toledo Rockets and signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Across his NFL career, he has spent time with multiple organizations, building a reputation as a reliable depth tackle.
Through a combination of practice-squad development and short stints on active rosters, Norton has appeared in regular-season games for the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints. He has also played in the XFL. He is recognized for his persistence in the league despite going undrafted, and for his football intelligence and durability in a position group that demands both.
Early Life and Background
Storm Willis Norton was born on May 16, 1994, in Toledo, Ohio. He grew up in the same community where he would later build his football foundation, attending Whitmer High School in Toledo. The local football culture of northwest Ohio, known for producing tough, hard-nosed linemen, helped shape his early development as an athlete. From a young age, Norton showed the size and athleticism that would eventually translate to the offensive tackle position at the professional level.
At Whitmer High School, Norton developed into a promising offensive lineman, using his tall frame and long arms to handle edge pass rushers. His performances in high school earned him the opportunity to continue his football career at the collegiate level without leaving his hometown. The familiarity of his surroundings and the support structure around him allowed him to focus on refining his technique and physical conditioning.
After completing his high school career, Norton committed to the University of Toledo, continuing his football journey with the Toledo Rockets. His decision to stay local gave him the chance to grow within a system that valued his skill set, while also keeping him close to family and the community that first introduced him to the sport.
Path to Professional Football
Norton joined the Toledo Rockets and worked his way into a starting role on the offensive line over the course of his college career. His development was steady, and he became known for his pass-protection skills and his ability to anchor against power rushers. As a key contributor for the Rockets, he earned recognition as one of the top offensive linemen in the Mid-American Conference.
In 2015 and 2016, Norton was named First-team All-MAC, highlighting his consistency and dominance at the collegiate level. These honors drew attention from NFL scouts, although his projection as a professional remained modest due to the level of competition in the Mid-American Conference. His combination of size, length, and footwork gave him a realistic path to an NFL roster, even if it meant beginning his career on a practice squad rather than as a high draft pick.
Following the 2017 NFL Draft, Norton went unselected but received an opportunity to sign with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. The contract, signed on May 12, 2017, marked the beginning of his professional career and validated the years of work he had put in at Toledo. Although the road ahead would be filled with movement between practice squads and active rosters, Norton had officially reached the league he had worked toward since childhood.
Storm Norton Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Norton’s first NFL stop came with the Detroit Lions, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in May 2017. He was waived in early September but quickly returned to the Lions’ practice squad, a pattern that would repeat itself throughout his early career as he worked to prove his value. Brief promotions to the active roster were followed by returns to the practice squad as the team managed its roster through the season. By late November 2017, he was released and quickly picked up by the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, though his time there lasted less than a month.
In December 2017, Norton signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, and the following month he agreed to a reserve/future contract with the team. He spent the 2018 season bouncing between the Vikings’ practice squad and active roster, eventually signing another reserve/future deal in January 2019. After being waived in late August 2019, his time in Minnesota came to a close, and he entered a transitional period that would briefly take him outside the NFL.
Los Angeles Wildcats and Los Angeles Chargers (2020–2022)
In 2020, Norton was selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL with the first overall pick in the second phase of the league’s draft. During the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened XFL season, he earned recognition as the highest-rated offensive lineman from Pro Football Focus, a notable achievement that showcased his abilities on a larger stage. When the XFL suspended operations on April 10, 2020, his contract was terminated, and he returned to the NFL landscape.
On April 14, 2020, Norton signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, beginning the most stable stretch of his professional career. With the Chargers, he settled into a depth role on the offensive line, providing versatility across tackle positions. Over three seasons with the franchise, he became a familiar presence in the locker room and on the practice field, contributing when called upon and offering veteran experience to a developing offensive line room.
New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons (2023–Present)
Norton signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints on March 16, 2023, but was released in late August and re-signed to the team’s practice squad. His stint in New Orleans kept him active in the league, and on September 26, 2023, he was signed off the Saints’ practice squad by the Atlanta Falcons. With the Falcons, he made 14 appearances, including three starts, finishing the 2023 season on the active roster.
In 2024, Norton played in all 17 regular-season games for Atlanta, including one start, establishing himself as a dependable rotational tackle. His durability and consistency earned him a continued role with the organization as the Falcons looked to build depth and stability along the offensive line. By the start of the 2025 season, Norton was a known quantity in Atlanta’s offensive line room.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Norton is recognized for his length, balance, and ability to handle both power and speed rushers on the edge. His tall frame gives him a wide reach in pass protection, and he has developed a patient, technically sound approach to blocking. As a depth tackle, his value comes from his football intelligence, his ability to play multiple positions along the line, and his readiness to step in when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Norton’s career came during the 2020 XFL season, when he was named the highest-rated offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus. Being selected first overall in the second phase of the XFL draft also stands as a clear measure of his professional reputation at the time. In the NFL, his milestone of playing all 17 games in 2024 with the Falcons underscored his durability and importance to the team’s offensive line rotation.
Storm Norton Career Highlights
Storm Norton’s professional career has been defined by perseverance, versatility, and steady contributions across multiple NFL franchises. From his early days on practice squads to full-season roles in Atlanta, he has built a reputation as a reliable offensive tackle willing to do the unglamorous work required of depth linemen. His recognition in the XFL and his consistent availability have been central to his longevity in professional football.
Major League Highlights
During his time with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2020 to 2022, Norton contributed as a rotational offensive tackle, providing depth at both tackle spots. With the Atlanta Falcons, he has produced his most significant regular-season production, including 14 appearances in 2023 and a full 17-game season in 2024. His role in Atlanta represents the most stable and productive stretch of his NFL career to date.
Other Performances
In the XFL, Norton was the first overall selection in the second phase of the 2020 draft and earned top marks among offensive linemen during the shortened season. He was also a two-time First-team All-MAC selection at Toledo in 2015 and 2016, an award that helped launch his professional opportunity.
Storm Norton Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Storm Willis Norton was raised in Toledo, Ohio, and attended Whitmer High School in the same city. His decision to attend the University of Toledo allowed him to remain close to his family and the community that supported his athletic development. The strong football tradition of northwest Ohio provided a backdrop for his growth as an offensive lineman from his early years.
Personal Life
Norton continues to live and work in the United States, with his professional base tied to the Atlanta Falcons organization. He is known publicly primarily through his athletic career, and his personal relationships are kept largely private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season brought an early challenge for Norton with the Atlanta Falcons. On August 22, 2025, it was announced that he would miss six to eight weeks after undergoing ankle surgery, placing him on injured reserve to begin the year. The recovery timeline kept him off the field during the early portion of the regular season as the Falcons navigated their offensive line depth.
On October 22, 2025, Norton was designated to return from injured reserve, signaling progress in his recovery and opening a 21-day window for the team to activate him. After his activation window closed on November 12, he reverted to season-ending injured reserve, ending his 2025 campaign before he could return to game action. His absence was a notable setback for a Falcons offensive line that had relied on his experience the previous season.
Despite the injury-shortened year, Norton’s standing with the organization remained intact, given his track record of durability and the full 17-game contribution he made in 2024. Looking ahead, his recovery and return to health will be a key storyline for the Falcons’ offensive line planning, with his veteran presence offering a stabilizing influence once he is back on the field.