Former Tennessee Star Omarr Norman-Lott Signs NFL Rookie Deal with Kansas City Chiefs, Begins Promising Professional Journey in Kansas City
Omarr Norman-Lott’s football journey has officially entered its next chapter, and it’s one that many Tennessee Volunteers fans hoped would come true. The former Tennessee defensive lineman has signed his rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, joining the defending Super Bowl champions and securing his place in the NFL. The deal, which aligns with the standard rookie contract for late-round draft picks, marks the beginning of what Norman-Lott hopes will be a long and impactful professional career.
After declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft following a standout season with the Volunteers, Norman-Lott caught the attention of NFL scouts with his strength, explosiveness off the snap, and relentless motor in the trenches. While he wasn’t a first-round pick, his consistent production in college, work ethic, and versatility made him an intriguing prospect for a Kansas City team that is constantly on the lookout for young talent to reinforce their defensive front.
His signing comes as part of the Chiefs’ larger strategy to continue building depth across the defensive line. Kansas City has prided itself on developing players who may not have been five-star recruits or top draft picks, but who fit the culture of discipline, hunger, and execution. In that context, Norman-Lott feels like a perfect match.
At 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, the Los Angeles native brings a combination of size, athleticism, and grit that made him a force at Tennessee and previously at Arizona State. His college career spanned multiple seasons and two Power Five programs, but it was in Knoxville where his game truly matured and where he earned the trust of coaches, teammates, and fans alike.
Norman-Lott transferred to Tennessee ahead of the 2023 season, arriving as part of Josh Heupel’s effort to bolster the Volunteers’ defensive front with experienced, impact-ready talent. Though he faced initial competition for snaps, Norman-Lott quickly established himself as a key rotation player and eventual starter. His presence helped anchor a defense that became one of the most improved units in the SEC, particularly in stopping the run and generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
In his final college season, Norman-Lott recorded 41 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks—numbers that don’t fully capture the disruption he created in opposing backfields. Coaches frequently highlighted his film study habits, motor, and locker room leadership. For a defensive line that needed stability and production, Norman-Lott provided both.
What set Norman-Lott apart during the pre-draft process was his performance in all-star games and private workouts. While he did not receive a formal NFL Combine invite, he turned heads at Tennessee’s Pro Day, showing strong testing numbers in agility drills, good footwork during positional work, and excellent communication during interviews with NFL personnel. His tape, coupled with strong character reviews from Tennessee’s coaching staff, made him an under-the-radar gem.
Kansas City’s defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has a history of identifying and molding linemen who fit his aggressive, multi-look schemes. Norman-Lott’s ability to play both interior positions—3-tech and nose tackle—makes him a flexible option in a defense that values versatility. Spagnuolo is expected to bring Norman-Lott along gradually, using training camp and preseason to gauge his adjustment to the pro level and his ability to pick up NFL-level concepts.
While Norman-Lott faces a deep and talented defensive line room in Kansas City—one that includes stars like Chris Jones and emerging contributors like George Karlaftis—the rookie is embracing the challenge with humility and focus. His mindset has always been about proving himself, and being a late-round pick or undrafted signee has only fueled that mentality.
“This is just the beginning,” Norman-Lott said during a brief media session after the contract signing. “I know nothing is handed to you in this league. I’ve been working my whole life for this moment, and now it’s time to get to work. I’m thankful to the Chiefs organization for believing in me, and I’m ready to earn my place.”
Back in Knoxville, the news of Norman-Lott’s signing was met with pride and excitement. Tennessee’s football social media accounts congratulated the former Volunteer, and several teammates shared posts celebrating his accomplishment. It marks another win for the Volunteers’ player development pipeline under Heupel, which has increasingly become a point of emphasis for recruits considering Tennessee.
Over the past three seasons, Tennessee has quietly become a reliable producer of NFL-caliber talent, particularly in the trenches. With recent draft picks like Darnell Wright, Byron Young, and Matthew Butler all making waves in the league, Norman-Lott’s transition into the NFL further bolsters the narrative that Tennessee is a launching pad for professional careers—especially for players willing to work for their opportunity.
For Norman-Lott, this opportunity didn’t come easily. Growing up in Southern California, he had to navigate tough neighborhoods, limited resources, and the grind of junior high and high school football before landing at Arizona State. His college journey included adversity, including injuries and a coaching change, but he used each challenge as motivation to improve. His transfer to Tennessee was about more than football—it was a bet on himself, and it paid off.
As he prepares to report to Kansas City’s training camp, Norman-Lott will face steep competition and steep learning curves, but he’s bringing with him a mature, grounded approach. Teammates describe him as someone who listens more than he talks, absorbs coaching quickly, and brings intensity to every rep. If that carries over to the NFL, the Chiefs may have landed one of the steals of this rookie class.
Kansas City general manager Brett Veach expressed confidence in the team’s rookie class, including Norman-Lott. “Every year, we look for guys who not only fit our system but our culture,” Veach said. “Omarr is a guy who stood out to us because of his motor, his strength, and the way he carries himself. He’s someone we’re excited to develop and see grow over time.”
Training camp will be the first real test. While roster spots in Kansas City don’t come easily, the Chiefs are known for giving young players a legitimate shot to make the 53-man roster or earn a role on the practice squad with a pathway to elevation. For Norman-Lott, it’s a familiar situation: proving he belongs, showing value, and waiting for the right moment to shine.
He’ll also benefit from being in a championship culture. Kansas City has become the NFL’s gold standard in terms of organization, stability, and success. Learning from veterans like Chris Jones and playing under a coach like Andy Reid provides invaluable exposure to what it takes to succeed at the highest level of football. It’s an ideal environment for a player like Norman-Lott to absorb knowledge, hone his craft, and eventually make a name for himself.
And if his college career is any indication, Norman-Lott won’t be intimidated by the moment. He’s faced doubters before. He’s switched coasts, schools, and schemes. He’s responded to every challenge by working harder and pushing further. His Chiefs deal is a reward—but also a responsibility.
As the 2025 NFL season draws near, all eyes will be on the rookies making their way onto depth charts and into rotations. For Omarr Norman-Lott, the path may not be flashy or quick, but it will be earned. His journey from California to Knoxville to Kansas City has been one of resilience, belief, and now—realization.
It’s the kind of story that resonates not just with fans, but with anyone chasing a dream. Norman-Lott may not have been the biggest name on draft boards, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that work ethic, character, and persistence go a long way in the NFL.
And now, as he dons the red and gold of the Kansas City Chiefs, Omarr Norman-Lott is ready to show the world what Tennessee fans already knew—he’s built for this.
