BREAKING: Ball State transfer commits to South Carolina over Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats had high hopes of landing a late Christmas addition with Ball State transfer cornerback Myles Norwood.

After narrowing his options to Kentucky and South Carolina, Norwood chose the Gamecocks on Thursday, as first reported by Pete Nakos of On3.

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 183 pounds, Norwood concluded the 2024 season with 38 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and five pass deflections. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a strong coverage grade of 71.8 across 456 snaps in 12 games, primarily playing as an outside cornerback. He also logged 48 snaps at nickel, with 35 coming in a single game.

Norwood’s journey has been unconventional. He began his collegiate career as a track and field athlete at Iowa Western Community College. In 2022, he made a brief appearance in one game for Iowa State but didn’t play the following year. He transferred to New Mexico State in February but later moved closer to home by joining Ball State in the summer.

At Ball State, Norwood quickly earned a spot in the rotation and became a significant contributor. Now, his transfer to South Carolina offers the chance to test himself at the SEC level, where he’ll face some of the toughest receivers in the country.

For Kentucky, losing Norwood is a blow, especially with several defensive backs departing for the NFL or entering the transfer portal. His experience and versatility could have made him a key piece of the Wildcats’ secondary, but instead, they’ll face him in Columbia next season.