SAN ANGELO, TX — Texas Football’s summer series highlighting the state's top high school football players of all-time continued Monday with its list of the best defensive backs.
Two West Texas stars — Odessa Permian’s Joe Bob Bizzell and Midland Lee’s John Norman — made the prestigious list.
At No. 6 was Bizzell, who stood only 5-foot-7 and 132 pounds. He was named to the all-state team three times as a defensive back and once as a wide receiver from 1970 to 1972.
His career began with 16 interceptions as a sophomore, helping propel the Panthers to a 37-2 record over the next three years with two appearances in the state final.
Permian’s defense allowed an average of nine points per game with him in the starting lineup.
Bizzell went on to play for the University of Texas as a freshman and had nine tackles and an interception in the Cotton Bowl.
His career was derailed, however, due to campus police finding a marijuana pipe in his car, which led to him being kicked off the team. A brief return was then ended with a public intoxication charge.
He was immortalized as the ‘the Golden Boy of golden boys,” in the famous “Friday Night Lights” book.
At No. 4 was Midland Lee’s Norman, who played for the Rebels from 1994 to 1996 and had 20 career interceptions.
He had 10 INTs his junior year, returning them for a ridiculous 449 yards and four touchdowns. He had 80 tackles and six INTs as a senior.
He was named first-team all-state twice, highlighted by being named the Class 5A State Defensive MVP his senior year.
He also won a silver medal at the state track meet in the 300-meter hurdles and a bronze medal as part of the 4x400-meter relay.
He was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
Norman went on to start for three years at Texas Tech as a linebacker and safety. He had 106 tackles and three INTs as a senior and led the Big 12 Conference in punt return yards.
The only other player from our general region to make the list was Lubbock Estacado’s Jerry Gray at No. 9. He played for the Matadors from 1978 to 1981 before starring at the University of Texas and becoming an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers.
The No. 1 player on the list was West Orange-Stark’s Earl Thomas (2003-06) who made seven Pro Bowls as a member of the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” defense that won Super Bowl 48.
To look at the full list, along with the rest of Texas Football’s Top 10s, check out the story here.
MORE: Top 10 Quarterbacks to Watch in West Texas in 2026
MORE: Top 10 Running Backs to Watch in West Texas in 2026
MORE: Top 10 Wide Receivers to Watch in West Texas in 2026
MORE: Top 10 Offensive Linemen to Watch in West Texas in 2026
MORE: Top 20 Defensive Players to Watch in West Texas in 2026
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: