Johnny Newton, IDL, Illinois
Size:
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 304 pounds
Arm Length: 32 3/8"
Hand Size: 9 1/2"
Accomplishments:
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2023) • Two-time All-American (2023, 2022) • Team Captain (2023) • All-Big Ten First Team (2022)
“Johnny Newton is a powerful hand striker and extremely disruptive on all three downs.”
Strengths:
Active hand fighter
Strength at point of attack vs. run
Natural leverage
Bend and lateral agility
Production
Concerns:
Arm length
Undersized
Acceleration at snap
Double team blocks
Film Analysis:
Johnny Newton is an active, quick-handed striker who lands punches with precision. His hand speed is impressive as he is both active as the aggressor and reactive as a counterpuncher. He has multiple techniques in his bag to defeat blocks quickly—cross-chops, double-hand swipes, hesitations, and swims, to name a few. Newton is an educated defender and pass rusher.
He has the functional strength to bull rush and drive blockers backward into the lap/face of the quarterback. Newton owns and controls the natural leverage battle with blockers due to his height and weight. He can fit his hands and stack blockers to locate the football on the move. He’s a good lateral athlete, showcasing the agility to effectively handle zone and outside run concepts. Newton understands how to effectively defeat reach blocks and stay ahead or in phase with the ball-carrier. He does a nice job clogging lanes and flashing his colors to force the RB to attempt a cutback into proper run fits. Newton’s ability to bend around IOL and down OTs is impressive.
Naturally, Newton’s lack of ideal arm length will be a talking point during the NFL draft process. He is undersized from a physical standpoint. This leads to questions and concerns about his ability to handle double-team blocks in the NFL. His get-off and acceleration at the snap are adequate at best and limit the effectiveness of his power/bull rush.
Newton projects as a starting 3-technique interior DL. His impact can be felt on both run and passing downs. That said, he will be most impactful on passing downs where he can create havoc for opposing quarterbacks and generate pressure up the middle of the OL. Pairing him with a bigger-body nose tackle would be ideal.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Penn State (2023), Wisconsin (2023), Kansas (2023), Purdue (2023)
