Rookie Edition: Knowshon Moreno

Rookie Edition: Knowshon Moreno

Versatile.
Extreme competitor.
Great field vision.
Elusive.
Natural receiver.
Unstoppable.

Welcome aboard “The Moreno Express”.

Knowshon Moreno was born on July 16, 1987 in Belford, New Jersey and began to show a great deal of talent in football that led him to impeccable success at his high school. He’s a legend in his home state and rightfully so. He earned it and here’s why.

At Middletown South High School, Moreno finished his high school career as the state’s all-time leading rusher in touchdowns, 128 to be exact, and scoring 782 points. Unbelievable already isn’t it?

He was ranked second in the entire state of New Jersey history with 6,268 career rushing yards. Earned EA Sports and Prep Star All-American honors. He was rated the 10th best RB in the country and the third best overall prospect in the state of New Jersey by Rivals.com

In his senior year alone, he rushed for 1,808 yards on 185 carries (9.8 avg.) and scored 43 touchdowns in 10 games. Moreno also lent a helping hand in leading his team to three state titles. Impressive.

"The Moreno Express" went on to take his talent and toughness to the University of Georgia Bulldogs in 2006.

He enrolled at Georgia spending his time on the scout team. In the Fall of 2007, he became a household name among fans and the media based solely off his performances in scrimmages. People wanted to see what “The Moreno Express” could do.

In the past, Georgia’s running game suffered from the lack of someone with Moreno’s style; his versatility to get open and break tackles. They needed a change of pace, an element of surprise. Enter Knowshon Moreno.

As he came off the bench behind Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin in the 2007 season, he made his mark quickly. After posting 157 yards on 28 carries in one game (against Vanderbilt), he soon found himself atop the depth chart.

Moreno went on to make a remarkable redshirted freshman out of himself. He recorded 100 rushing yards in five consecutive games in 2007 and then started in the final six games of that season for the Bulldogs. He finished his freshman year with 1,334 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 248 carries earning him SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

That yardage total was the second-best by a first-year player for the Bulldogs and third among SEC freshman in a campaign. He also managed to average 122.08 all-purpose yards per game.

As a redshirt sophomore Moreno received All-America honors and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award (nation’s best running back) in 2008. He also got involved in the passing game his sophomore year and captured 33 passes for 392 yards piling up 108 points.

He led the SEC with an average of 107.69 rushing yards per game and his 16 scoring runs tied for the fourth-best on the school single-season record chart.

He finished his career at Georgia putting up the following stats:
Ranked third in school history in career 100-yard rushing games (13).
Ranked fourth in both career rushing yards (2,734) and in rushing touchdowns (30).

Averaged an impressive 105.2 rushing yards per game and joined Herschel Walker as the only Bulldogs in school history to post 1,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons.

His 2,734 career rushing yards at Georgia was ranked first in the SEC, sixth in the nation and second under the country’s underclassmen during that time. Moreno was also a two-time first-team All-Southeastern Conference running back.

After spending only 2 seasons with the Bulldogs, he entered the NFL Draft of 2009. I ask you to take a brief moment and just imagine the records he could have broken and the stats he could have posted had he stayed at Georgia all 4 seasons.

As the Denver Broncos kept the fans waiting with anticipation to see who would be their first pick of the draft, for many they surprised with picking an offensive player like Moreno. Many expected them to choose defense first but I guess they felt like adding some explosion to the offense and hopped aboard “The Moreno Express”.

Denver used their first round pick at #12 to grab up the great route-runner. Maybe we should have picked defense first but this young man will not disappoint if given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sounds like he’s just what the doctor ordered in Denver. They have been without a good solid running game for quite some time now and Moreno could help turn it all around. Denver went through 5 running backs in one season (2008). It’s time they get some stability and consistency. “The Moreno Express” could provide that and do it well. Very well.

Not only is he a sight to see on the field but he’s got the attitude any coach and team wants on and off the field. He’s humble, laid back, but also confident that he can give back the running game Denver is known for. He’s all about teamwork and has the heart to play for the game. The Broncos organization won’t be disappointed with this draft pick and I’m betting the fans won’t be either.

As his Georgia coach, Mark Richt once said, “Knowshon Moreno, I know when you get to watch the kid practice every day and see what he does, it gets you excited. He is a very vibrant guy. He could be a gymnast. You can't hide his enthusiasm for life. He will light up his team with his energy level. He will jump over a guy standing on his feet and score. He has got speed, power and agility. People have to respect his power. If (the defense) sends a guy full-speed to try and get him, Knowshon will make them miss."

He’s a dreamer
He’s a teamplayer
He is Knowshon Moreno off the field
He is "The Moreno Express" on the field.