Norcross football in good hands, on the sideline and in the backfield

The Norcross football program is one of the best and mosthistoric teams in the entire state and legendary head coach Keith Maloof was abig piece of that puzzle. Now, following Maloof’s retirement, it will be up toa new head coach – Corey Richardson – to fill the role.

Under Maloof’s guidance, Norcross won state championshipsin 2012 and 2013 and seven region titles. In his final season, Norcross went8-4 with a second-round exit in a 34-24 loss against Grayson. Richardson, aformer defensive coordinator, inherits a team that is hungry to go on a deepplayoff run. With returning players like UGA-commit Carter Luckie and cornerChase Huff, Norcross is ready for success.

However, the most important player on a football team isthe quarterback. The 2024 starter, Dillion Muhammed, passed for 1,866 yards and18 touchdowns as well as another four touchdowns on the ground last season.With Muhammed graduated, Norcross is looking for a new starter in 2025, thathonor will likely go to PJ Wolfe, who transferred to Collins Hill.

But behind Wolfe, Norcross looks to have found itsquarterback of the future in current sophomore Luqman Baig.

Baig has been making noise since arriving at Norcross andcould be the next big thing out of the Gwinnett County school. Baig had astellar freshman season on junior varsity and the freshman team. He threw forover 1,000 yards and over 12 touchdowns. To add to that, he also ran foranother 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Baig returns for his sophomore season and is more readythan ever.

“I want to get my name out there,” he continued. “GwinnettCounty football is very fast and physical; we play great competition every weekand I have to play hard every week. That means I have to take care of my body,be a good leader, and be a good student.”

Baig spent his freshman season behind Muhammed where helearned a lot from the 2025 starter.

“He was always a good person in the school building.Seeing how the offensive guys rallied around him really stood out to me.”

Whenever a transfer comes in, there are always questions abouthow the team will react. However, Baig confirmed that there is no bad blood inthe quarterback room.

“PJ is my dawg, I have known him since I was eight at aGeorgia Tech camp,” he said. “We train together sometimes and I am excited toplay with him.” 

Baig and his Norcross team have been competing at variouscamps and 7-on-7 tournaments over the summer. At a Creekview padded camp, Baig threwsix touchdowns with zero interceptions. Overall, he competed at the likes ofUGA 7-on-7, Georgia Tech 7-on-7, Georgia State camp, UAB camp, Alabama camp,and many more. 

Taking a look at some of Baig’s highlights, you willnotice why he is seen as a top 2028 quarterback in the state. In Norcross’spring game, Baig threw a touchdown pass right into the hands of his receiverdespite the defense rushing a blitz at Baig on third and long. On another play,Baig took a read option to the outside edge and outran multiple defenders toend up inside the five. One of the most underrated parts about Baig’s game ishis ability to throw the ball under pressure. On multiple instances, Baig had adefensive player coming directly at him and Baig was able to throw a laserdespite taking a huge hit. He also competed with All-in-Elite 15U over thesummer (and ironically PJ Wolfe was the 18U quarterback) and variousevents. 

Baig is ready to takeon his role with Norcross this season, whatever that may be, but for Norcrossfans they can rest knowing that if Baig is around, the team’s future is in goodhands.Norcross will begin the 2025 season with a tough test againstLanier.