NFL.com listed “scheme-dependent” and “primarily a sub-package option for the Vols” as two weaknesses for Tennessee defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
Additionally, NFL Draft Buzz‘s profile on Norman-Lott specifically questioned his “stamina and durability,” noting that he had “never played more than 33 snaps in a single game.”
Mind you, those aren’t just passing critiques. Those were the first bullet points in the weakness sections on both site profiles.
Still, though, Norman-Lott rose above expectations with a second-round pick from the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 NFL Draft in late April. The 6-foot-2 defensive tackle was projected as a 3rd to 4th round pick but landed with the Chiefs at pick No. 63.
Wearing the same No. 55 that he wore on Rocky Top, Norman-Lott recently met with reporters in Kansas City. In a video posted to X by WATE Sports Director Reece Van Haaften, Norman-Lott directly answered the snap-count critics by praising his defensive line coach and his former teammates at Tennessee.
“Of course, you want to play more, but we had a rotation of six D-Tackles who could all start in the SEC,” Norman-Lott said. “My position coach, if you don’t know who he is, Rodney Garner, incredible coach. He believes in keeping his guys fresh. So, I took my opportunities that I was given and I made the best of it. And, to hit on your second part, it would be the same thing in the NFL. Whatever opportunities I have, I’m going to take the best of it, whether it’s more or less.”
#VFL Omarr Norman-Lott had his first availability with the #Chiefs. The defensive lineman gave his old position coach a shoutout.
“Rodney Garner (is) an incredible coach. He believes in keeping his guys fresh.” #Vols pic.twitter.com/2GwO4AeNyr
— Reece Van Haaften (@Reece_VH) May 5, 2025
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Those just looking at Norman-Lott’s Tennessee numbers might not be fully in tune with what Garner was doing with the Vols’ defensive line last season. As Norman-Lott mentioned, Tennessee had a deep rotation at each spot on the line and put an emphasis on keeping guys fresh on the field. That ended up being a good thing for Tennessee, because the defensive line was the backbone of the Vols’ impressive defense. Tennessee allowed the third-fewest opponent touchdowns in the SEC last year, and its defensive trenches played a huge part in that.
Norman-Lott will now take his talents to Kansas City to see what kind of impact he can make on the Chiefs’ defense. There will still be questions on Norman-Lott’s usage, durability, and stamina, but kudos to the former Vol for having a strong, poised response during his first media availability in Kansas City.
We’ll see what VFL Trey Smith has to say about Norman-Lott’s stamina after the two meet in the trenches on the practice field this fall.
