In 2006, Eric Norwood enrolled at The University of South Carolina and began his collegiate career with the Gamecocks. As a freshman, Norwood began blazing the turf up. He recorded 30 tackles (9 for a loss), 7 sacks, and 5 hurries. After his freshman he continued his success and proved to be a fierce pass rushing Linebacker his sophomore, junior, and senior years. Norwood also spent time playing the defensive end position. He's more than likely going to take on the role of an outside linebacker once he hits the NFL. After Norwoods junior year, he decided to declare for the NFL draft but after losing the Outback Bowl decided to return to play his Senior year. Norwood seemed to have made the right choice; alot of players that have returned for their senior years have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL.
Below, we'll take a look at some of the linebacker's accomplishments...
This video has a mixture of highlights as well as an interview with senior linebacker Eric Norwood. It's a pretty good interview with plenty of interest. If you have a few minutes, it's worth taking a look at.
AWARDS AND HONORS:
- 2006 First Team Freshman All-American
- 2007 First Team All-SEC
- 2008 First Team All-SEC
- 2009 First Team All-SEC
- 2009 Elite Performer, Linebacker Trophy
- 2009 First Team All-American
CAREER STATS:
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2006 | 30 | 19 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 68 | 44 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 75 | 49 | 26 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 81 | 54 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 18.0 | 35 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Regular Season Game Log | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||||
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 9/3 | @North Carolina State | W 7-3 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9/12 | @Georgia | L 41-37 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 35.0 | 35 | 1 | 0 |
| 9/19 | Florida Atlantic | W 38-16 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9/24 | Mississippi | W 16-10 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/3 | South Carolina State | W 38-14 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/10 | Kentucky | W 28-26 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/17 | @Alabama | L 20-6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/24 | Vanderbilt | W 14-10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10/31 | @Tennessee | L 31-13 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11/7 | @Arkansas | L 33-16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11/14 | Florida | L 24-14 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11/28 | Clemson | W 34-17 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 Postseason Game Log | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||||
| BOWL | OPP | RESULT | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| PAPAJOHNS.com BOWL | @Connecticut | L 20-7 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SUMMARY AND PROJECTION:
I believe Eric Norwood will be considered in the 1st Round but there is a chance that he could find himself being selected in the second and that is the most probable scenario. I think the Saints could be the best fit as a 1st Rounder considering that they lost Scott Fujita. They will need to plug in some of the same type of energy to replace him if they want to make another Superbowl run. Norwood weighed in at 245 LBS and measured 6'1" at the combine a few weeks ago.
Possibilities -- 1st Round: Picks 20-32, 2nd Round: Picks 33-64
For more on 100 in 100 click the link below, Thanks.