Michigan transfer offensive tackle Brady Norton certainly didn’t mince his words on Tuesday, saying “F— those guys” when talking about turning down an offer from rival Ohio State:
Even though he didn’t grow up a fan of the Michigan Wolverines , transfer offensive tackle Brady Norton sure is beginning to understand the rivalries in Ann Arbor.
Before he transferred to Michigan, Norton was also receiving interest from other big time schools around the country, like Ohio State. Norton told the media on Tuesday that the Buckeyes’ coaching staff reached out to him and then “kind of ghosted me out of the blue.”
However, when Michigan offered him a scholarship, that’s when they hit Norton back up.
“Then when Michigan offered me, (Ohio State) wanted me now, so I felt like that was kind of odd,” Norton said. “I came here and was like f— those guys, I don’t care.”
Norton received an offer from the Wolverines on Dec. 15 and took a visit to Ann Arbor the following day. During his visit, Norton was contacted by Ohio State again , but he decided Michigan was the right place for him to transfer.
“I obviously took the offer, but once I hung up and started thinking about it, I just committed here,” Norton said. “I didn’t say anything (to Ohio State). I just posted my Michigan commitment and I don’t have to talk to them ever again.”
Even though The Game is more than seven months away, Norton has already put himself in the middle of the hated rivalry with these candid comments. He went on to offer insight into his perspective on the rivalry.
“I don’t have as much hatred and that rivalry in my blood as the guys who have played for the program for many years,” Norton said. “I’m assuming once that week comes, I’ll definitely start feeling it. I know I’ll get that (hatred) sooner or later.”
#Michigan OL Brady Norton says one of his favorite things is the beat Ohio drill.
The tradition from Michigan set a part them when considering a lot of suitors when he got in the portal. pic.twitter.com/Fy9cJlP25K
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) April 15, 2025
Norton’s father raised him to be a fan of Notre Dame, so he wasn’t a fan of the Wolverines before he transferred.
“I honestly grew up not liking Michigan,” Norton said. “I think they’re the most hated team in the nation, which is a great thing. I would always root against them. Even in the 2023 National Championship, I was rooting against Michigan.”
The California native has obviously flipped his allegiance as he prepares to don the maize and blue in his first season with the Wolverines, and nothing will make fans welcome him more than what he had to say about the Buckeyes.
“I looked at it as an opportunity to play at a blue blood program. I didn’t think Michigan would ever call me,” he said. “The environment and tradition that Michigan has really set it apart from other schools and made me want to come here.”