Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009

Norwood among final five on Butkus list

Senior one of three SEC players in contention for LB honor

Three years after arriving at South Carolina as a defensive end, Eric Norwood is among five finalists for the award that goes to the nation's best linebacker.

Norwood, a two-time All-SEC selection, is one of three SEC players among the final five linebackers in contention for the Butkus Award.

The other finalists are Alabama's Rolando McClain, Florida's Brandon Spikes, Texas' Sergia Kindle and Missouri's Sean Weatherspoon.

Norwood, a senior from Acworth, Ga., who was a defensive end his first two seasons at USC, is second in the SEC with seven sacks and is tied for third with 10.5 tackles for loss. He leads the team with two interceptions and has blocked three kicks.

Norwood is No. 1 on USC's career lists for sacks and tackles for loss, and is the SEC's active leader in both categories.

- Joseph Person

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