The 11W Community Interview is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. You submit the questions, vote on them, and then we pass the top ones on to the biggest names in the world of Ohio State athletics.
When Ohio State made a scholarship offer to Josh Norwood, at the time a Cincinnati commit, it caught some people off-guard. A three-star prospect ranked "only" as the 49th-best cornerback in the country, Norwood comes from Valdosta, Georgia, one of the more competitive high school football teams in the country and he impressed Ohio State enough of film evaluation to earn a Buckeye offer without the coaches seeing him live, a rarity for Urban Meyer's staff.
Norwood made one visit to Columbus – for last year's Illinois game – and he saw enough to know that it was the right place for him. He committed to the Buckeyes late one Monday night, in the quiet and unassuming manner that he's handled all of his success with. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder just prefers to do his talking on the field.
Today, though, he sits down and opens up a bit with Eleven Warriors' readers in this week's 11W Community Interview.
First, if you had to choose, who's one player you try and model your game off of? Second, how good is Whataburger? – SivaDavis
JN: Greg Reid, he's from Valdosta and he's a heck of a football player. I haven't eaten at our Whataburger (laughs). I hear it's nasty.
What brought you to Columbus from Georgia? – DannyBeane
JN: Simple. The opportunity I have to be a part of a great college football program and school is what brought me to Columbus. It was not hard to know it was right for me.
What stood out to you about Ohio State that made the difference in your recruitment? – MN Buckeye
JN: How comfortable the coaching staff made me feel on my visit there and whenever we'd speak. Also the tradition and the confidence of the program. They have an outstanding academic program and reputation too.
How difficult was it to choose to go to school so far from home, and did you feel a lot of pressure to attend one of the local SEC/ACC schools? – JaxBuckeye
My strongest asset on the field is my aggressiveness
JN: The distance of the school didn't really play a factor in my decision. When you have a great school like Ohio State coming at you, it becomes just business. There was no pressure because everyone understands it's Ohio State.
Do you see yourself as more of a man or zone corner? Also, what would you say is your biggest asset skillwise on the field? – MacG91
JN: I see myself more as a man corner; I can read plays quite well. There is nothing like that one-on-one match up, though. Just you and your guy and shutting him down is really special. My strongest asset on the field is my aggressiveness and my ability to read plays.
Have you noticed the perception of Ohio State and the B1G in general change in the South since this past season? – D1145Fresh
JN: In the south, just the name Ohio State holds a lot of weight. They have proven they can compete with the strongest conferences and the Big Ten is getting better and better. It's got a great reputation.
What degree program will you pursue at Ohio State? How much did academics play a role in your choice of school? – 1MechEng
JN: I will be majoring in chemical/mechanical engineering while attending college. My parents push me hard in school, so academics was the first major thing in my decision for college. Football is great, but you have to plan for life after it.
Outside of football, what are some things you do to better yourself as an individual? – WezBuck28
JN: Outside of football I do a lot of stuff whenever I can. I'm athletic; I run hurdles in track and played basketball in high school. Oh yeah course I like riding dirt bikes and just basically trying to be a kid with my friends.
What plan has the coaching staff made for you? – BroJim
JN: The plan for me is simple: get bigger, stronger and faster. If I want to play this year I have to work hard to prove what I can do on and off the field and make sure that I leave no doubt about what I do.
Who are you closest to on the team? Also, with whom do you plan on rooming as a freshman? – Buckeye4Life050233
JN: On the team, I'm closest with (Buckeye sophomore linebacker) Raekwon McMillan. He's from Georgia too and we've gotten to know each other well. Of the recruiting class, the one guy I've gotten to know the best is Denzel Ward. We play the same position and have a lot in common. That's who I'll most likely end up rooming with.
Thanks everyone for the questions. Go Bucks!
