Gamecocks' Norwood to return for senior season
By Travis Haney
Updated 03:40 p.m., January 5, 2009
COLUMBIA — It didn't take Eric Norwood long to have a change of heart about staying at South Carolina.
Just days after saying he'd leave for the NFL, sources confirmed this afternoon that the junior All-SEC linebacker will play his senior season at USC.
Norwood made it known Thursday, just after the Gamecocks' 31-10 loss to Iowa, that he planned to leave for the draft.
It came somewhat as a surprise since defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson had said just after the bowl that he thought Norwood, who led the SEC with nine sacks, would return.
"I feel good about Norwood coming back," Johnson said after the game.
Minutes later an ESPN report surfaced that Norwood, who wasn't available for comment after the bowl, would leave school. Sources confirmed the report within an hour.
But, upon returning home to Atlanta, Norwood began to backtrack. He again weighed his options, noting that he might have a chance to improve his stock with another year in college.
Although he hadn't confirmed his projection by the draft advisory board, Norwood had been pegged by most analysts as a mid-to-late-round selection.
Norwood collected 75 total tackles, including 14 ½ for a loss, to finish with the second most on the team. He moved in the spring to outside linebacker, but also played a fair share of defensive end, depending on the down and distance.
So long as they don't correspond with agents, players are able to change their minds without penalty until Jan. 15.
Tight end Jared Cook and safety Darian Stewart are still mulling their options. Cook is said to be leaning toward the draft, and Stewart is said to be leaning toward staying.
Corner Captain Munnerlyn and safety Emanuel Cook are the two USC juniors already in the draft pool.
Cook wasn't academically eligible for the Outback Bowl because he had an eye on the NFL. And Munnerlyn decided to leave upon learning that the draft advisory board projects him to be a first-to-third-round pick.
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Comments
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
"kid must love losing"
bigriver1 & ashleyriver
thought I get that one in before idiots named above grace us with their mindless tribble.
January 5, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigriver1 (anonymous) says...
^^^ What sbs said. You know 17-24 against DUKE and so forth.
January 5, 2009 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notafan (anonymous) says...
Everyone just overlook bigriver. He/She obviously did not pick up any new material over the holidays. Talk about a load that should have been swallowed.
Does the DUKE thing really mean anything to anyone other than bigriver???
That being said you have got to love a person whose life is consumed by something they despise. Sad. Some new material would be nice. Lets talk about Boise State......
January 5, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
Cow College???? Dude you like a school in Athens, Georgia. There's a cow college, past old man Miller's farm and take a right I believe are the final directions on Yahoo Maps.
January 5, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notafan (anonymous) says...
Bulldog1 no comment from me is necessary. You have just solidified everyone's impression of the typical UGA fan.
So what time is work detail over and when are you due back at prison??
Here's one why don't you read your post before hitting the button? You may surprise yourself at the level of stupidity of your thoughts.
January 5, 2009 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coachken (anonymous) says...
Sensless drivvel all around. Tough start to 09.
UGA preseason #1 what a disapp-ppointment.
USC did not SALVAGE the season, tanked it, see adds in yellow pages for re-hab. SOS get a life, material is as lame as little mind- bigriver.
Maybe adding a new sideline reporter (2Stale) to the staff will help the Setvie improve the obits.
At least T Bowden gave better excuses, Dabo fired the whippin boys.
Another coach (rat) leaving the Ol Ball Coach Staff for LSU, promotion or lateral? No question, survival is a good motivator, hand writing on the wall. The sun will come up tomorrow (NEXT YEAR) everywhere but Columbia. The Ol Ball Coach is goining "ALL IN" with a pair of jokers (Stinky and Julio) and a bunch of Freshmen. Pass the Kool Aid.
Is it better to make a change in mid season of flounder and wait for the end of the season? OBC knows how to survive.
To date Dan Snyder ia the only one that has figured out he was all washed up. Waiting for the buy out offer.
January 5, 2009 at 10:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
surfer (anonymous) says...
coachken sounds more like Ken Burger...
January 6, 2009 at 12:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
topix (anonymous) says...
(I won't join in on the high school name calling, do us all a favor and grow up.)
Norwood is a classy athlete who would do well at ANY school. He has stayed out of trouble, worked hard and sets a great example. Both Cooks (Jared and Emmanuelle) and Munnerlyn are made for the NFL. It's where they belong...with the other thugs and criminals.
January 6, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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