Eric Norwood
Encyclopedia
Eric Norwood is an American football
defensive end
for the Carolina Panthers
. He formerly played for the University of South Carolina
. During his collegiate career, he set school career records in tackles for loss (54.5) and quarterback sacks (29). With numerous conference and national honors, Norwood is one of the most decorated defensive players in SEC history and has drawn comparisons to James Harrison. Norwood was considered a top linebacker prospect for the 2010 NFL Draft
; he was selected in the fourth round at number 124 overall by the Panthers.
at North Cobb High School
in Acworth/Kennesaw, Georgia.
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com
, Norwood was listed as the No. 34 strongside defensive end prospect nationwide in 2006.
. His 7.0 sacks tied for the team-lead, while his 5.0 hurries were tops for the team.
In 2007, Norwood asserted himself as one of the most effective Defensive Ends in college football. In 12 games, he recorded 69 total tackles (19.5 for loss), 6.0 sacks, 9.0 quarterback hurries, and 3 fumble recoveries. He was named First-team All-SEC by the league's coaches and Second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press
. In a Thursday night game against a top 10 Kentucky
squad, led by Heisman candidate Andre Woodson
, Norwood turned in one of the most dominant single-game performances in NCAA history. He returned two fumbles for touchdowns, posted 5 total tackles (all solo and 1.0 for loss), and had two pass deflections. The two touchdowns on fumble returns tied an NCAA record.
After two stellar years at defensive end, Norwood moved to Linebacker for his Junior season in 2008. The position change did not affect his performance, as he posted 75 tackles (14.5 for loss), 9.0 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. Norwood was named First-team All-SEC by both the league's coaches and Associated Press. After South Carolina's loss in the 2009 Outback Bowl
, Norwood announced that he planned to enter the 2009 NFL Draft
, but later changed his mind.
Norwood's decision to return for his Senior season was a beneficial one for the Gamecocks, as he helped lead the team to a 7-6 record and a PapaJohns.com Bowl appearance. In addition, Norwood broke South Carolina's all-time sack record by dropping Jevan Snead
for a 5-yard loss during the Gamecocks 16-10 victory over Ole Miss
. The record was previously held by defensive tackle Andrew Provence who had 26 career sacks. For the 2009 season, Norwood posted 81 tackles (11.5 for loss), 7.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, 3 blocked kicks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. In October 2009, Norwood was selected to The Sporting News
midseason All-American team. Following the conclusion of the 2009 regular season, Norwood was named a First-team All-American by the Associated Press
and the Walter Camp Football Foundation
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. He formerly played for the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. During his collegiate career, he set school career records in tackles for loss (54.5) and quarterback sacks (29). With numerous conference and national honors, Norwood is one of the most decorated defensive players in SEC history and has drawn comparisons to James Harrison. Norwood was considered a top linebacker prospect for the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
; he was selected in the fourth round at number 124 overall by the Panthers.
High school career
He played high school footballHigh school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
at North Cobb High School
North Cobb High School
North Cobb High School is a public high school located north of Atlanta in Kennesaw, Georgia. It serves approximately 2599 students in the Cobb County Public School System, in grades 9-12. The school mascot is the warrior and the school colors are navy blue and orange...
in Acworth/Kennesaw, Georgia.
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
, Norwood was listed as the No. 34 strongside defensive end prospect nationwide in 2006.
College career
Norwood arrived at South Carolina in 2006 and immediately made an impact at the Defensive End position. In 13 games as a Freshman, he recorded 30 total tackles (9.0 for loss), 7.0 sacks, and 5.0 quarterback hurries. For his efforts, Norwood was named First Team Freshman All-American and All-SEC by The Sporting NewsThe Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
. His 7.0 sacks tied for the team-lead, while his 5.0 hurries were tops for the team.
In 2007, Norwood asserted himself as one of the most effective Defensive Ends in college football. In 12 games, he recorded 69 total tackles (19.5 for loss), 6.0 sacks, 9.0 quarterback hurries, and 3 fumble recoveries. He was named First-team All-SEC by the league's coaches and Second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
. In a Thursday night game against a top 10 Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats football
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
squad, led by Heisman candidate Andre Woodson
André Woodson
Andre' Woodson, Jr. is an American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft and is currently a free agent. Woodson played collegiately at the University of Kentucky...
, Norwood turned in one of the most dominant single-game performances in NCAA history. He returned two fumbles for touchdowns, posted 5 total tackles (all solo and 1.0 for loss), and had two pass deflections. The two touchdowns on fumble returns tied an NCAA record.
After two stellar years at defensive end, Norwood moved to Linebacker for his Junior season in 2008. The position change did not affect his performance, as he posted 75 tackles (14.5 for loss), 9.0 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. Norwood was named First-team All-SEC by both the league's coaches and Associated Press. After South Carolina's loss in the 2009 Outback Bowl
2009 Outback Bowl
The 2009 Outback Bowl was a college football bowl game played as the first official sporting event in the USA on January 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Scheduled for a kickoff of 11 AM US EST and telecast on ESPN, the game pit the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Iowa...
, Norwood announced that he planned to enter the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, but later changed his mind.
Norwood's decision to return for his Senior season was a beneficial one for the Gamecocks, as he helped lead the team to a 7-6 record and a PapaJohns.com Bowl appearance. In addition, Norwood broke South Carolina's all-time sack record by dropping Jevan Snead
Jevan Snead
Jevan Bryce Snead is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent...
for a 5-yard loss during the Gamecocks 16-10 victory over Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
. The record was previously held by defensive tackle Andrew Provence who had 26 career sacks. For the 2009 season, Norwood posted 81 tackles (11.5 for loss), 7.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, 3 blocked kicks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. In October 2009, Norwood was selected to The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
midseason All-American team. Following the conclusion of the 2009 regular season, Norwood was named a First-team All-American by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and the Walter Camp Football Foundation
Walter Camp Football Foundation
The Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also presents various awards.-Awards:*Walter Camp Player of the Year*CT Player of the Year...
.