South Carolina cornerback Myles Norwood is heading back into the NCAA transfer portal, marking another move in what’s been a winding college football journey. After suiting up for the Gamecocks this season, the 6-foot-2, 184-pound defensive back is now looking for a new opportunity-his third transfer in as many years.
Norwood saw the field in 10 games this season for South Carolina, including two starts, and finished the year with 19 tackles. While he didn’t put up eye-popping numbers, he showed flashes of the athleticism and versatility that have followed him throughout his career. His decision to enter the portal makes him the 11th Gamecock to do so this cycle, joining a growing list that includes tight end Michael Smith, offensive linemen Nick Sharpe, Trovon Baugh, Cason Henry, and Tree Babalade, defensive lineman Zavion Hardy, linebackers Jaron Willis and Taeshawn Alston, wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr., and quarterback Air Noland.
Norwood's path through college football has been anything but conventional. He began his career at Iowa State, where he spent two seasons but saw limited action.
He didn’t appear in any games during the 2023 season and played in just one game in 2022, a win over West Virginia. Still, he earned Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition in both the spring and fall of 2023-an indication of his commitment off the field even as playing time was hard to come by.
In 2024, Norwood took a detour through New Mexico State before landing at Ball State. That’s where he really began to carve out a role for himself.
He played in all 12 games for the Cardinals, starting seven, and recorded 38 tackles, including two for loss. He also led the team with 10 pass breakups-a stat that speaks to his instincts and ability to disrupt passing lanes.
His best performance came against Buffalo, where he posted a career-high six tackles and two pass breakups. He also added five tackles and two breakups against Central Michigan and recovered a fumble against Northern Illinois.
That productive year at Ball State helped pave the way for his transfer to South Carolina, where he hoped to continue building on that momentum. Now, with another move on the horizon, Norwood will be looking to find a program where he can not only contribute but also settle in and maximize his final years of eligibility.
Norwood’s athletic pedigree stretches back to his high school days at Trinity Catholic in the St. Louis area.
He was a four-year letterwinner who played both defensive back and quarterback, earning first-team all-conference honors as a senior. He wasn’t just a football standout, either.
Norwood was a track and field star, too-an all-state performer in the long jump, triple jump, and decathlon. In 2021, he won the Missouri state title in the triple jump with a leap of 46 feet, 8 inches and finished fourth in the long jump at 22 feet, 10 inches.
That elite athleticism has always been part of his game, and it’s something coaches will no doubt take note of as he re-enters the portal.
For now, Norwood becomes another name to watch in what’s been a busy transfer window across college football. His size, experience, and athletic upside make him an intriguing option for programs looking to add depth and playmaking ability to their secondary.