Norwood has Mississippi State running

There he was, hurrying to get to holes that weren't developed, and getting tackled. It happened far too often, and keep in mind that he still ran for 1,050 yards, his 95.5 yards per game average ranking him second in the SEC.

"I would have had an extra 300 or 400 yards for sure if I would have not rushed things," said Norwood on Thursday at the SEC football media days. "In the heat of battle, you don't see that. I have to slow my reads, trust my linemen and things will work out better."

Odds are it will happen. Norwood, a senior, has already been chosen a first-team All-SEC preseason by the league coaches. He'll likely receive the same honor Friday from the media when the team is announced.

State second-year coach Sylvester Croom believes it's the natural progression of Norwood's learning process as he starts his second year in Croom's West Coast offense.

"Jerious is our best football player, and I expect a great season out of him," Croom said. "He should have had more yards last year, but that's par for the course when you first get into a new offense. I expect him to have a better feel for the blocking scheme and anticipating where the holes are."

Part of Norwood's success will be based on how much junior quarterback Omarr Conner has improved. Connor, who started for the first time last year, barely completed 50 percent of his passes and threw more interceptions than touchdowns (7 to 6).

If he can play and manage a game like he did in last year's 38-31 upset of Florida — Conner was 15-of-24 for 158 yards, one TD and no interceptions — defenses won't be able to put more on the line to stop Norwood.

"If people stack the line and they give me the ball, then I have no choice but to run it," Norwood said. "But I'm not worried about it. I feel more comfortable in our offense. Omarr is stepping up as a leader, the receivers can make big plays and our offensive line has worked hard to lose a lot of weight."

Croom has also met with Norwood about his NFL future, advising him to concentrate on his final season, yet making sure to take advantage of the media spotlight shining on him.

"I think Jerious will handle everything with no problem at all," Croom said. "But I also told him and the rest of our players that every time they get in front of a camera, every time they get an interview, they are advertising for their company.

"I told Jerious that he's the president of Jerious Norwood Inc. I want our players to conduct themselves accordingly, because never again will they probably get this free advertising. That's what college football does for them. Maybe some of them will get a job from it."

Norwood said he has no problem selling himself. His teammates also will do it for him.

"Jerious is a complete player," State senior center Chris McNeil said. "He's a warrior. I've never seen anyone do what he does with the football. But he's also a great person, and he deserves everything that comes his way."

Though Norwood said he has never entered any game thinking his team didn't have a chance to win, he has been one of the team leaders who has worked hard to help change State's losing attitude.

Revising attitude has been an uphill fight for Croom — "One of the most difficult things you can do is change people's hearts, getting them to sacrifice for a common goal," he said — but Norwood began to see some change last year.

"When we beat Florida (in game seven), coach Croom called us all together after that game, and told us we can do great things if we believe in him and ourselves," Norwood said. "That game let us know we can play with anybody."

Norwood said he and other upperclassmen are dead set on maintaining Croom's discipline standards.

"If I see somebody doing what they're not supposed to be doing, I'm going to tell them about it," Norwood said. "Just last week, a couple of guys were playing around in the locker room and I had to say something to them about it. I told them that 'if you get hurt or sprain an ankle, that Coach Croom is going to have something to say about it.'"