UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Jordan Norwood is considered the third-best wide receiver among Penn State's outstanding senior trio.

He doesn't attract the same attention or double coverage as Derrick Williams or Deon Butler.

Yet, Norwood's numbers are hard to ignore.

Only three players in school history have more receptions -- Bobby Engram (167), Butler (134) and O.J. McDuffie (125) -- and Engram and McDuffie were selected high in the NFL draft.

With 121 career catches, Norwood needs only five more to pass McDuffie and move into third place, and he'll get a chance at it this Saturday against Oregon State.

Norwood also is on the cusp of cracking the top 10 list in receiving yards, needing 68 more to join that exclusive company.

Despite being 5 feet 11 inches and 171 pounds, the soft-spoken Norwood has proven to be steady and sure-handed during his four years with the Nittany Lions.

"Jordan's a crafty player," Butler said. "Everybody thinks because of his size, he's not going to be able to handle Big Ten play. ... He's real elusive. He's a guy who gets in and out of his breaks very fast. He has great hands.

"He's not afraid to get hit -- that's the best thing about him. He goes over the middle and he commands the ball, and when he gets it in his hands, he always pulls it in.

"As the season goes, he's going to be a great weapon to have."

Norwood had a good start to his final season in last week's 66-10 demolition of Coastal Carolina. He had four catches for 74 yards -- both team highs and all in the first half -- and a touchdown.

His leaping 32-yard grab of a Daryll Clark pass on a third-and-13 play from the 50-yard line early in the second quarter gave Penn State a first down. Two plays later, Norwood pulled in Clark's first career touchdown pass, snagging the 5-yard reception near the back of the end zone.

As an added bonus, Norwood's father, Brian, watched the play develop from the sideline at Beaver Stadium. He is in his first season as Baylor's defensive coordinator after previously serving as Penn State's safeties coach.

"It was nice to have my dad at the game," the younger Norwood said. "I just love to play. I love to compete. I'm happy in the situation I'm in, and I just look forward to doing more of the same."

Norwood is the latest in a line of high school players from State College who have stayed home to play for coach Joe Paterno, following the likes of Matt Suhey, Larry Suhey, Paul Suhey, Larry Johnson, Tony Johnson and Mike McQueary.

Norwood played football and basketball in high school and was the point guard for the Little Lions when they won the PIAA Class AAAA basketball championship in 2003. His younger brother, Gabe, was on the George Mason basketball team that advanced to the Final Four in 2006.

"I saw [Jordan] play basketball on television and the way he handled himself," Paterno said. "He could jump. He had great hands and could see the court. He could change directions with the basketball. I suggested we go after him because he was a great student and a good kid.

"Williams and Deon Butler get the publicity, and they're good. Norwood has had a great preseason and great strength. He's a really good football player."

Norwood caught just 21 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns as a high school senior. But he surpassed that number quickly at Penn State with 32 catches as a freshman. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, he had a team-high five touchdown passes a year ago.

"I didn't have a whole lot of expectations, whether my career turned out this way or took a complete 180 another way," he said. "But I am very glad with the way things are turning out."

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NOTE -- Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark will return in 2009. Spokesman Jeff Nelson said yesterday that Clark has completed more than 85 percent of the credits required to earn his degree in telecommunications and will regain another year of eligibility. Clark, a non-academic qualifier who attended Kiski School before enrolling at Penn State, is on schedule to graduate in December.

"I just love to play. I love to compete. I'm happy in the situation I'm in, and I just look forward to doing more of the same."