Follwing South Carolina’s 31-10 blowout loss to Iowa in the Outback Bowl, Eric Norwood was done. He along with three others, declared for the NFL draft…but Norwood wasn’t so sure. After some deliberation, he decided to return for his senior campaign. What changed his mind? Norwood was originally a defensive end, and some scouts thought he needed some more seasoning at OLB…he thought he could improve his draft stock by staying one more season. Secondly, he had some unfinished business at South Carolina, ”I realized there were some things I hadn’t done, like helping this team move up to where we want to be in the SEC.”
Good decision.
All Norwood did this year was make South Carolina history. He became the first player in school history to be named All-SEC three times…oh, and there’s that little thing about being the first SC player to be named a first team AP All-American in 25 years. In addition to the SEC and All-American accolades, he was one of the top five finalists for the 2009 Butkus Award, which recognizes the nation’s best linebacker.
Norwood was 2nd on the team with 71 tackles, and first with 7 sacks. His 7 sacks rank him third in the SEC, and his 11.5 tackles for loss are good for eighth best. He also leads the Gamecocks with 2 interceptions, and get this, 3 blocked kicks.
Norwood is South Carolina’s all time leader in both sacks (29) and tackles for loss (54.5), he is also the SEC’s active leader in both of those categories.
He shows a great burst of speed off the edge, sometimes coming from a two-point stance. He’s plays the run well also, often forcing the rb back inside, which may help partially explain his relatively low tackle total. His season high in tackles was 10, which came vs Ole Miss on on September 24th. Norwood could very well end up playing OLB in a 3-4 defense at the next level.
It should noted that although Norwood has 7 sacks, 6 of those came in Semptember. He has had one sack since September 24th, which came vs Arkansas on November 7th.
If there is a weakness for Norwood, it is probably pass coverage. He’s not the fastest when straight-line running, but his high motor helps him make up ground…he is adequate in coverage, but could improve. UConn tight end Ryan Griffin will test Norwood…the 6’6″ 245 lb Griffin is emerging as top target for Zach Frazer…it will be interesting to see how UConn attacks there.
Eric Norwood is a game changing type player, the Huskies will most certainly have to be cognizant of where he is on the field. Tackles Mike Ryan and Mike Hicks will have their work cut out for them when Norwood is coming.
Since Zach Frazer returned as the team’s starting quarterback on November 7th, the Huskies have allowed just 2 sacks…that’s over 4 games. Frazer has a quick release, and has learned to throw it away when it’s not there. That skill will come in very handy with a big time pass rusher like Eric Norwood breathing down his neck…
No related posts.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
nice spotlight. it will be interesting seeing if carolina can challenge uconns fine offensive tackles. i am sure that matchup will be a ”key” factor in the outcome of the game.
Good post, Eric Norwood is a beast on the field and his motor never stops. I’m a huge Gamecock fan, and I have been pulling for UConn since the shooting death of the db. Just want to say hope UConn plays good but, I want my Gamecocks to come out on top. Good luck!!!!!
hey grant,,i have an idea on a subject that would actually get people really fired up to actually comment.
do some research on recruiting rankings. usc fans are obsessed with stars and rankings..i bet if you showed that uconn has averaged around a 65th rated class but still expects to go to a bcs game and couple that with the low ranking of cincy and utah as examples why rankings dont mean anything when it comes to on field success, you would get peeps fired up. use utah vs bama as an example, boise, cincy, even uconn..,tease it like, i guess a 65 rated class is better than a such and such class..oh, my the shitstorm u would create.haha
btw, the same people at usc that praise norwood were the same ones that paid no attention to him when he was recruited because he was a dreaded 3 star. lol.
USC’s gonna make uconn their “whipping boy” I PROMISE.
The recruiting rankings are an absolute joke. The people assigning the stars are assigning stars, not coaching successful BCS conference football teams, like Randy Edsall. Our fans used to be caught up in it too…but take at look at Lawrence Wilson for instance…kid leads the Big East in tackles, 4th in the nation. Speed, and a a real nose for the ball…kid can cover too…2 stars.
Andre Dixon? 2 stars. Jordan Todman? 2 stars. Marcus Easley? Walk on.
I believe we have on 3 star offensive linemen, in Erik Kuraczea, other than that they are all two stars…and we probably have the best OL in the Big East.
End of discussion, it’s all nonsense.
End of discussion.
Good for you there Dabo. Promise away, see you in Birmingham.
well, i am in agreement that the rankings are crap. just look at utah clean house every year..i am with you on this subject. the star system is bogus. rivals and scout make a fortune on this stuff.
he is a clemsux fan, just so you know.
I suspect it might be time to interject that while Norwood is the marque player on our defense, defensive ends Cliff Matthews, Clifton Geathers, and Devin Taylor all have size and speed. So your tackles will have much more to worry about than Norwood. Also, he is not as slow as you might think, and our Spurs cover the tight ends mostly. Our secondary will be intact this year as opposed to decimated last year by the Iowa game. They are young, but fast and heavy hitters. However, I think this game will be won by our offense this time around. Our passing game is contolled and we are stocked with some rather large wideouts with speed, and we have shown some grit in our ground game. I will be at the game and suspect we will see an entertaining game.
again, love all the comments by uconn..lol..
SC has had 6 AP All-Americans in the last 25 years
Ko Simpson
Kalimba Edwards
Brad Edwards
Sterling Sharpe(2 times)
Del Wilkes
James Seawright..
Oh make that 7 there was also Roy Hart
The last Gamecock named to the First team AP All American team was 1984
Wilkes and Seawright
http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121509aab.html
I have edited the article to read first team, I should have specified…thank you.
And fans eat it up. It’s nonsense. Look at Notre Dame’s recruiting classes…
It’s about drive, it’s about coaching, it’s about projecting a kids frame 2-3 years down the road. It’s about getting kids that are eager to learn, and that will buy into your system. Obviously the more offers the kid has, you could throw some stars on there…if that many coaches think the kid is a player, you could ride their coat tails, throw 3 or 4 stars on there…and more times than not, look like a genius.
We have 4 star Zach Frazer as our starting QB, who was replaced by 2 star Cody Endres…and then Endres got hurt and Frazer got the job back (and has played much better)…but almost every UConn fan would tell you the difference between the two is razor thin…and plenty who think Endres is the better QB.
I could go on and on, because we see it more in CT than you will in SC. North East kids are often under-recruited and underrated. and when we do get a kid from Florida or GA, most time they don’t get the bump because Georgia or Florida didn’t want him. Lets look at last years NFL draft :
Darius Butler from Florida, 2nd round pick New England Patriots…having a very good rookie campaign…2 stars. William Beatty, now starting right tackle for the NY Giants, as a rookie, 2nd round pick, two stars. Donald Brown, 2000+ yards junior year, 1st round pick, Indy Colts, 3 stars. Cody Brown, 2nd round pick, AZ Cardinals, 2 stars…that’s 4 UConn players in the 2009 draft…all in the first two rounds, average stars ? 2.25…throw in Julius Williams, who made the Jaguars as a UDFA, and has seen some playing time…2 stars. That’s 5 UConn players who joined NFL teams in 2009…average stars? 2.20.
Anyone star-gazing is missing the boat.
,
Merry Christmas, and a good night to all.
His sack total went waaaaaayyy down because after dominating September play, teams decided to double and triple team him, run away from him or throw quick passes when he lines up on the DLine.
{ 2 trackbacks }