The 18th installment of this year's Better Know a Buckeye series follows the feature on Torrance Gibson with a profile of a player who committed to Ohio State a day after him. Josh Norwood was originally committed to Cincinnati through the summer and fall before attracting attention and offers from much bigger programs. One of these programs, Ohio State, was able to convince the Valdosta, Georgia native to head further up I-75/I-71 to play college football on November 4th of last year. This was just a few days after his unofficial visit for the Illinois game.
Josh Norwood
- Size: 5-10/175
- Position: CB
- School: Valdosta (Valdosta, GA)
- 247 Composite: ★★★
- National Ranking: 498
- Position Ranking: 49 (CB)
- State Ranking: 47
I retell Norwood's recruitment below, starting in earnest with Ohio State's interest in Norwood and offer early in October. His recruitment lasted less than a month thereafter before his Nov. 4 commitment. Afterward, I provide a scouting report for a cornerback who originally committed to Cincinnati (and flipped to Ohio State) because he likes aggressive cornerback play. I offer a projection of a redshirt in 2015 as well before concluding with highlight film for the reader to watch at the end of the feature.
HIS RECRUITMENT
Josh Norwood flew well under the radar throughout much of his recruitment. This statement, however accurate, stands at odds with the prominent status of Norwood's high school program. Valdosta High School has six mythical national championships and 23 state titles. The success of the high school program is a major reason why ESPN christened Valdosta as "Titletown USA" in 2008.
More Josh Norwood at 11W
Norwood was a star player on a marquee program in a talent-rich state, though this did not manifest in significant attention on the recruiting trail. Duke and Minnesota may have been his best offers, at least in terms of program prestige and resources. He received other offers from Cincinnati, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Middle Tennessee State, Troy, and Western Kentucky before settling on the Bearcats on June 21, 2014. Norwood had not visited Cincinnati at this time, but heard good things about the program and city from those who know the Queen City well. Further, Norwood liked the aggressive style of cornerback play offered by Tuberville's program.
This is how Norwood's recruitment stood through the summer and into the fall before other programs started to take notice of Norwood as a talent who improved considerably from his junior to senior year. Florida contacted him. Georgia expressed an interest. Wisconsin contacted him to gauge his interest in the Badgers. Ohio State even extended a scholarship offer on Oct. 8.
The recruitment that followed was brief and made a flip to Ohio State seem certain. Kerry Coombs, his future position coach, stayed in regular contact before Urban Meyer called him on Oct. 20. This phone call convinced Norwood to schedule an official visit to Ohio State for the Illinois game.
On Oct. 27, Norwood announced he was no longer committed to Cincinnati. Four days after that, Norwood visited Ohio State to see the program for himself and had great things to say about it. He committed to the Buckeyes just a few days after the visit.
HIS COMMITMENT
On Nov. 4, 2014, Josh Norwood announced his commitment to Ohio State as the 18th member of Ohio State's recruiting class.
Officially committed to The university of Ohio State
— MJ (@the_wait_) November 5, 2014
When asked about the nature of his commitment to Ohio State, Norwood cited multiple reasons why Ohio State was a good fit. For one, Norwood was not concerned about staying close to his Valdosta home. Cincinnati would have been a 10-hour drive from Valdosta, and Ohio State is less than two hours farther. Norwood also wanted the bigger stage. Cincinnati gave him an opportunity to play football; Ohio State is giving him an opportunity to play for a great college football program on a grand stage at a university with more resources and opportunities than Cincinnati can offer.
WHERE HE EXCELS
Josh Norwood looks like a typical cornerback in terms of measurables. He's 5-10, around 165-175 pounds (depending on the measurement), and runs a 4.5 40-yard-dash. Some strengths and current limitations can be easily inferred from watching some of his film.
His long arms belie his 5-10 frame. He uses this to his advantage in press situations. He enjoys it, even. Press coverage is one reason he thought Cincinnati's style of play would have made the most of his talents relative to offers from other programs like Duke and Minnesota.
He runs well too. He will not be the fastest corner Ohio State signed in this class, but he has solid speed and fluid hips to run with receivers.
Most importantly, I like his intuition. Norwood demonstrates a good knack for the game and the play as it is unfolding. He's less likely to bite on play-fakes and play-action than a typical three-star prospect. Ohio State's secondary coaches should enjoy coaching him.
MUST WORK ON
Norwood is a solid tackler and is fine in run support. He's just not strong at the moment. This is the biggest knock I think I have for him at the moment. He needs to make the most of his time in the weight room.
REDSHIRT?
In Denzel Ward's feature a few months ago, I noted I was on the fence about him playing in 2015 and thought he would be on special teams exclusively if he did. In Norwood's case, I don't think he could be the special teams player that Ward could be in the fall. My best guess is Norwood redshirts and uses that redshirt year to improve his strength in the weight room.
HIGHLIGHTS
These are from Norwood's senior year.
