The high school legend who rewrote the New Jersey record books
In short: Before he was a first-round NFL pick, Knowshon Moreno was a scoring phenomenon in New Jersey. He didn't just dominate the football field; he was a track star whose career numbers suggested a level of physical dominance rarely seen in high school athletics.
Growing up in Belford, New Jersey, Moreno established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in state history. At Middletown High School South, he amassed 6,268 career rushing yards and 128 touchdowns. His performance was so impactful that he became New Jersey's all-time leading scorer, while his rushing yardage ranks second all-time in the state's high school ranks. His senior season was particularly dominant, as he recorded 1,629 yards and 28 touchdowns in just 11 games. He also once rushed for 42 and 7 touchdowns in single games against the Neptune Scarlet Fliers and Monmouth Regional Falcons.
His athleticism extended far beyond the gridiron. During his time at Middletown South, Moreno was a premier track and field athlete, holding multiple school records. His sprinting prowess included a 11.01-second 100-meter dash and a 6.73-second 55-meter dash. In 2005, he demonstrated his versatility by capturing three state titles at the Monmouth County Championships, winning the 100 meters, the long jump, and the triple jump. His speed was further evidenced by a 11.1 second 100-meter dash during the 2005 Monmouth County Championships.
This foundation of explosive speed and strength propelled him to the University of Georgia, where he became a standout running back. During his 2007 debut year, he became the sole Georgia athlete to surpass 1,000 rushing yards, matching a feat by the iconic Herschel Walker. This trajectory eventually led him to the NFL, where he was selected 12th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2009 draft. His collegiate success earned him the SEC Freshman of the Year title. He later transitioned to the Denver Broncos, where he famously wore the number 27 to honor the late Darrent Williams.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Knowshon Moreno
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