University of South Carolina senior linebacker Eric Norwood has been named a first team Associated Press All-American – the first Gamecock player in a quarter century to earn a spot on the prestigious squad.
Norwood – who is USC’s career leader in both sacks (29.0) and tackles for loss (54.5) – is a three-time All-SEC performer.
He is the first Gamecock since Ko Simpson (2005) to make a first-team All-America squad, and the first Gamecock to be named to the AP first team since 1984 – when both Del Wilkes and James Seawright made the squad.
The 6′ 1″ Georgia native will play his final game at USC on January 2 in the Papajohns.com Bowl against Connecticut.
Alabama led the nation with six first-team All-America performers, including Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram.
Clemson’s multi-threat performer and ACC player of the year C.J. Spiller also made the AP first team – as an all-purpose player.
Eleven SEC players made the elite squad, compared to only two ACC players – Spiller and Georgia Tech defensive lineman Derrick Morgan.
By countryboy December 15, 2009 at 8:33 pm
And got his degree. A class act.
By Toyota Kawaski December 15, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Great Job 40
By Liberty For Me December 15, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Norwood and Spiller were a given.But the real shocker…Only two ACC players??? Really?…From all the arguments about how equal or better the ACC is this cant be right.The SEC is old news…Isn’t it?