{"id":155374,"date":"2023-12-17T15:00:39","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T20:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=155374"},"modified":"2023-12-17T13:07:48","modified_gmt":"2023-12-17T18:07:48","slug":"2024-nfl-draft-jerzhan-newton-scouting-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/12\/17\/2024-nfl-draft-jerzhan-newton-scouting-report\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 NFL Draft: Jer’Zhan Newton Scouting Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jer\u2019Zhan Newton NFL Draft Overview<\/span><\/h2>\n

Position: Interior Defensive Line\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Height: 6\u20192\u2033 (Unofficial)<\/span><\/p>\n

Weight: 295 pounds (Unofficial)<\/span><\/p>\n

School: Illinois\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jer\u2019Zhan Newton 2024 NFL Draft Profile<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Illinois interior defensive lineman Jer\u2019Zhan Newton is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. Newton, a former three-star recruit out of Clearwater, Florida, signed with Illinois in 2020. In his time at Illinois, Newton became one of the most dominant forces in the Big Ten<\/a>. Newton\u2019s size is unusual for the position, but his skillset makes him a first-round player. While there are concerns about his height and weight, Newton has some elite tape. Newton\u2019s tape in 2022 and 2023 landed him as a seemingly first-round<\/a> lock.<\/span><\/p>\n

Newton lined up all over the defensive line for Illinois the last two seasons. He spent his Saturdays wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines. He stands at about 6\u20192\u201d, 295 pounds. His get-off and pocket-pushing ability make him a disruptor. Newton kept Illinois in the Penn State game seemingly by himself in 2023, tallying six tackles, seven pressures, and two batted passes. Newton also blocked a field goal in that game and lived in the Penn State backfield for the entire afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strengths<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    \n
  • Aligns in multiple spots along the defensive line<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Fantastic get-off, exploding off the ball<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Heavy and impactful hands that deliver crushing blows<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Has flashed the ability to play on the edge<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Plays with fantastic leverage\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Not a one-trick pony, has an array of different countermoves<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Great athlete for someone pushing 300 pounds<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Quickness flashes on tape<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \n

    Illinois IDL Jer\u2019Zhan Newton<\/p>\n

    A blend of explosion, power, and first step quickness out of the starting blocks. Consistent first level penetrator. pic.twitter.com\/hIpvugPLmd<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) July 27, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n