Penn State wideout Jordan Norwood is officially a two-sport athlete.
Less than two weeks after catching four passes for 35 yards against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl, the sophomore has joined the Penn State men’s basketball team, coach Ed DeChellis said today.
Norwood, a 5-foot-10 and 168-pound guard, helped State College High School to its first PIAA large school state championship in basketball in 2003 as a junior. DeChellis offered Norwood a walk-on tryout following his senior year, but the State College native declined and instead accepted a football scholarship.
Norwood still had thoughts of playing basketball though, and in the days following the Jan. 1 bowl win against the Volunteers, he contacted the Penn State basketball staff expressing an interest to try out.
Norwood then met with DeChellis this past Sunday and practiced with the team Monday. Three days later, he became a member of the team, but DeChellis said Norwood is far from seeing significant playing time.
Before the Nittany Lions (10-5, 1-1 Big Ten) practiced on Monday, DeChellis said it would be "foolish to put expectations on Jordan that he’s going to come in and play minutes."
Norwood would first be asked to make contributions in practice and help run the scout team. DeChellis reiterated those statements earlier today.
"[Jordan is] just trying to learn right now, help the team and get into basketball shape,” DeChellis said. “He adds a dimension for our guards to play against …so we're going to see if he can help us out."
Norwood caught 45 passes for 472 yards during the football season, finishing second on the team in both categories. He has 77 career receptions for 894 yards in two seasons.
Penn State (10-5, 1-1 Big Ten) plays Indiana at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at the Bryce Jordan Center.
