Jer’Zhan Newton Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

School: Illinois

Class: Junior

Position: IDL

HT: 6’2

WT: 295 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #20

Background: Jer’Zhan Newton, formerly known as Johnny Newton, was a 3-star recruit from Clearwater, Florida. Newton attended Clearwater Central Catholic High School, where he was named a MaxPreps All-American. Not only did Newton play all over the defensive line in high school, but he also played running back and was extremely effective in goal-to-go situations. Newton is an athletic specimen, also lettering in basketball in high school for multiple seasons. Coming out of Clearwater Central Catholic, Newton had a wide variety of Power 5 schools that offered him a scholarship. Newton originally committed to Maryland, but his visit to Illinois a year later seemed to change his mind, as he soon flipped his commitment from Maryland to Illinois.

College: Newton was buried in the depth chart as a freshman, but still managed to make an impact in the limited action that he saw each game. His second season is when he started to find his identity on the interior of the Illini defensive line. Newton received some buzz and All-Big 10 honors from some outlets while also making the academic team. His third season is where Newton solidified himself as one of the best DTs in the country. He was practically a consensus Second Team All-America amongst all outlets. Newton also had solid pass rushing production despite being a run-stuffing defensive tackle.

Strengths: Jer’Zhan Newton is incredibly agile for his size. He moves well and can pick up to his top speeds quicker than most at his position. Newton is sporadic but he uses it to his advantage. He has a high motor that is almost unmatched as he continues working the opposition until he wins the matchup. Newton boasts a noticeable burst when launching into the frame of any offensive linemen. He always has the quickest first step, giving him the upper hand in the phone boost. He is a matchup nightmare for the shorter, less agile interior offensive linemen that he matches up against. Newton is a freak of nature with the way he is able to move and bend at his size, a mismatch in every sense of the word. After looking at the defensive tackle position group for this class, Newton is the best pure athlete. While Newton is a fantastic run stuffer and can clog the gaps with ease, he is also an effective rusher closer to the edge. His versatility will be useful in the NFL as the league is moving more towards the use of rotations every year.

Weaknesses: Despite what he is able to do at his size at the moment, his current stature would make him a bit small for an interior defensive lineman in the NFL. He could afford to put on a few pounds of muscle to ensure that he is able to impose his will without taking any of that agility or burst away from his game. His smaller frame also comes into play when we look at his length, his combine measurements will show that. His physical frame puts him at a disadvantage that he has been able to overcome at Illinois. Newton is also penalized at a high rate, normally in the neutral zone. NFL offenses will take advantage of a defensive lineman who cannot seem to time the rush well.

Conclusion: Jer’Zhan Newton will be an impact defensive lineman at the next level, and if he can add some mass to his frame, he has a path to being elite.

Scheme Fit: 4-3 Stunt Heavy

Ideal Role: 3-tech

Best Team Fits: DEN, CHI, DAL

Player Comparison: Ed Oliver

Player Grade: 88.4