Jerious Norwood

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Norwood's college legacy at Mississippi State is defined by explosive numbers and consistency. Over three years as a starter, he set school records with 3,222 career rushing yards on 573 carries and surpassed the previous record for games with over 100 rushing yards (13). As a junior in 2004, he became the sixth player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, tallying 1,050 yards. His senior year was equally dominant; he won the Conerly Award as Mississippi's top college player after rushing for 1,136 yards with no fumbles. In high school at Brandon High, he recorded 92 career touchdowns to rank fourth all-time in state scoring history and rushed for a playoff-record 367 yards in a single game.

In Their Own Story

Norwood's NFL debut began with immediate impact. He rushed 10 times for 66 yards against the Carolina Panthers before recording his first reception against Tampa Bay. In Week 4 of his rookie season, he faced the Arizona Cardinals and ran for 106 yards on just six carries, including a then-team-record 78-yard touchdown run. This marked one of two career touchdown runs exceeding 70 yards in his first two years, making him the first player in NFL history to achieve this feat. Later that season against Washington, he recorded a career-high 107 rushing yards with a touchdown. His efficiency was unmatched; in 2006, his 6.4 yards per carry ranked second among all rookies and only behind teammate Michael Vick for the entire league.

Reader's Guide

Fans should remember Norwood's specific statistical milestones from his time with the Falcons. In 2006, he played 14 games, ranking third on the team in rushing (633 yards) while averaging an NFL-best 6.4 yards per carry among running backs. The following season, 2007, saw him start 15 regular-season games, gaining 613 yards on 103 carries for an NFL-leading 6.0 yards per carry for his position. Beyond rushing, he was a versatile contributor, returning kickoffs and catching passes throughout his tenure. After leaving Atlanta, he signed with the St. Louis Rams in August 2011 before joining the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in August 2013, where he drew his first start against the Calgary Stampeders.

Did You Know?

• Norwood was the first player in NFL history to have his first two career touchdown runs each go over 70 yards.
• He holds a high school playoff game record of 367 rushing yards while attending Brandon High School.
• In college, he set a Mississippi State record with 13 games of 100+ rushing yards, surpassing the previous mark of 12.
• As a senior in high school, Norwood rushed for 2,878 yards and scored 32 touchdowns while also competing as a sprinter in track.
• During his rookie season, he was part of the only Falcons game where both the quarterback (Michael Vick) and running back surpassed 100 rushing yards.