Rashaad Penny, shown here at Norwalk, was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the 27th overall pick. (Photo by Duane Barker).
By Tim Peterson
(Norwalk) – Former Norwalk standout running back Rashaad Penny, who went on to star at San Diego State, was taken with the 27th pick overall in the NFL draft Thursday night by the Seattle Seahawks.
Penny, who played for head coach Jesse Ceniceros, who is now the HC at El Monte, led the Lancers to the 2013 CIF Southeast Division title game where they fell to La Serna. Penny had a stellar career college career at San Diego State, capping it off last year as he led the nation in rushing with 2,248 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Now Penny is about to realize his dream of playing on Sundays.
@Norwalk Truth
Penny did indeed get hurt DURING the title game. I know because I was on the opposing sideline coaching against him. But he continued to play to the best of his abilities. Dude is a stud, plain and simple. Penny didn’t get beat, his TEAM did and that game could’ve gone either way but we obviously made some big plays to pull out the win. Show some respect and if you’re a former LS player be happy you got a ring… but this man is in the NFL! He deserves our respect.
He was not hurt in the championship game he just got beat by a better coached team. End of story. eniugh said for all you people that make excuses.
So freaking awesome for our area! Congratulations Mr Penny be great young man
This may sound harsh but to put it in perspective as to how hard it is to be a D1 football player much less an NFL first rounder: I read a player in the same era of Penny with more hype, F. Palmer from LS was still playing in High School All Star games. If your an NFL first rounder your gonna get paid and these coaches hate throwing many away.
Cathedral has another Phantom in The NFL. Da,mari Scott signed by The Cleveland Browns. That makes two Cathedral Grads playing Big Time Football.
Ok guy… Sound like a DELETED hater.
@knowno, shut up you moron. You lose all credibility with that ridiculous comment…
knowno……..really ………have you seen this kid play..blocking my not be his forte but catching the ball will be no problem for this stud…you can believe it or not but I’ve seen it up close and personal
Bust for sure he has no hands and can’t block or run away from anyone. Not sure what the Seahawks were thinking. Oh well.
An all out beast… Penny gave it his all in that 2013 hs championship game. I know because I coached defense against him! I wish him nothing but success and pray that he has a long and fruitful career. Dude is an all-out stud (along with the rest of his brothers)
I undertand Penny was playing hurt in that title game, so who knows how it might have turned-out had Rashaad been 100%. Still you’re right, this game epitomized what a championship contest should be. Everybody who bought a ticket that night got their money’s worth.
Definitely the biggest surprise in the first round but congrats!
The Norwalk vs. La Serna CIF Championship game is the best high school football game I ever seen. A double overtime victory that had a blocked field goal that was scooped and scored. Had numerous lead changes. It was a great game!
I feel this is a great selection for the Seahawks, because Pete Carroll is right: pro teams need a strong running game to make the more frequent passing plays more effective. I hear the detractors when they say Rashaad’s pass blocking is weak, but I feel he can be made serviceable in that count. Note that in his two schools, Norwalk and SDSU, the passing game was hardly the thing, and so with the right coaching, this aspect of the kid’s game will come around. It’s great that in an age where over-hyped jocks such as the Ball brothers strut and preen, we have a couple of genuine stars (in the Penny brothers) who let their playing do the talking.