Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (maizecraize215)

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:01:54 GMT

Wow... I've been off the site awhile now and I came back to read up on everything that's going on. I'm pretty happy with the way UM has been recruiting. I really like Newsome. I feel he throws the ball better than Pryor. OSU fans I'm not just saying that because we didn't get him, because I would have loved to get him, but I honestly think Newsome will be a better QB. Also Newsome has a great head on his shoulders.

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (walls4)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:11:46 GMT

Just wanted to add how great a prize Kevin Newsome is for RichRod to land. This kid seems like he's well-grounded and the real deal for RR's offense. According to the VA papers "Newsome led Western Branch to a 10-2 season last year, throwing for 1,312 yards, running for 341 more and accounting for 24 total touchdowns. He has the rare combination of size (6-3, 210 pounds) and speed (he’s one of the nation’s top hurdlers) that make recruiters drool."

And this quote: “Committing now also gives me a chance to try and recruit some receivers.”

Well now --- the 2009 season should be one to look forward to.

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (aMaizingMachine)

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:35:14 GMT

TheWolverine.com

Kevin Newsome (6-3, 215)

It's more than his freakish physical abilities that make him so successful, head coach Scott Johnson said recently, but that's a good place to start in assessing his strengths. Newsome has the arm strength to get the ball downfield with the flick of his wrist, the feet to elude the pass rush and the mind to make quick decisions on the run. After spending two years running the Wing T offense, Newsome was a quick study in his first year in Johnson's spread formation.

The result? Nearly 1,500 yards passing and 600 rushing in his first year in a new offense.

"We used him as a runner, we used him as a sprint out guy and we used him as a drop-back guy," said Johnson. "We kind of based it on what defenses gave us. When we thought it was easier to let him run a little more, we did that. If they gave us the pass, we took that. A lot of it was based on how we were performing."

Newsome also had a 1,500-yard running back behind him, alleviating some of the pressure. Yet when the game was on the line, Newsome was usually the one called upon to make the plays.

"He's got a good arm and can get the ball down the field and he's a good runner, so he's kind of a combination," Johnson reported. "But he's very athletic. He's about 6-3, 215 but he moves very well. He was at the Penn Relays this weekend running in the 4x100 relays ... they're getting a good one."

(Note: for video of Newsome in action on the track, sprinting the anchor leg and catching the field in winning the event for his team, click here: Newsome anchor's winning 4x100 team). For an article on his experience, click here: Newsome on victory.

This season, said Johnson, Newsome will continue to work on his reads to better adapt to disguising coverages. Pocket presence will also get some attention - he's so good with his feet that he sometimes takes off too soon instead of stepping up and trying to keep the play alive.

Those are things that will evolve as he becomes more comfortable with the spread, the coach predicted, insisting the offense would evolve around Newsome's ability.

"It looks like he's throwing without a lot of effort because he does have a very powerful arm," Johnson said. "And his legs are going to get him out of trouble. That's a really good thing ... you really can't coach that."

But when he needs to be coached, he's ready and willing.

"He's the junior class president. I start with that - that gives you a pretty good idea what the kids think about him and how they respect him," said Johnson. "He's a good kid, very likeable, very personable regardless of what situation he's in. He's easy to talk to and pretty genuine.

"I just think he wanted to go where he felt he was going somewhere where he could be a quarterback and have a chance to play. I think he felt at home [at Michigan]."

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (section26)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:19:31 GMT

ORIGINAL: bluethebuckeyehunter

With Newsome in the fold....what other highly rated payers could give UM a little more attention?

Well for one, his teammate Javanti Sparrow, a CB with offers from VT and WVU. http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=8&c=1&nid=3560978

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (MichiganFanInOhio)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:55:16 GMT

Great get for Michigan! I'm glad to see Coach Rodriguez bring a top ranked QB into the fold. Hopefully, this can end all of the talk about how Coach Rodriguez won't be able to land top flight QB's because of the high school offense he runs...

And this Newsome quote was from that SI article:

"There was only one school that, when I left, I had no doubts," Newsome said. "There were no negative aspects to the trip."

Gee. How could he possibly feel that way about Michigan with all of those 'eroding family values' and such??? Not to mention, his chances for going pro have now diminished considerably judging by what we are being fed by Bucknuts and the like...

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (aMaizingMachine)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:49:55 GMT

TheWolverine.com
Analyst: Newsome akin to Donovan McNabb

Michigan's most recent commitment, four-star Chesapeake, Va., quarterback Kevin Newsome, fits the role of the dual-threat signal-caller U-M has sought since Rich Rodriguez was named head coach. Albeit, with a slight twist ...

"Kevin is a better pure passer than [West Virginia's] Pat White," Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell said, of the 6-3, 210-pounder. "I think Michigan will utilize him like Pat, but pass more, which makes him more of a threat.

"I compare Kevin more accurately to Donovan McNabb when he was at Syracuse. He was a big, physical quarterback that could throw but ran the freeze option too and when he needed to, could tuck it and become a dangerous ball carrier.

"The play that I always liked from McNabb was when he ran down the line like it was an option, then stopped, dropped three steps and hit a receiver in stride. It always screwed up the defense and it's an ability that a kid like Kevin Newsome has. Now, whether he develops into a McNabb-like player or not, you don't know, but he has that type of talent."

Newsome may not be the runner incoming freshman quarterback Justin Feagin is, or that of White, but he can run. He recorded a time of 7.35 seconds in the 55-meter hurdles this past winter, which isn't among the nation's elite, but is still a very good time.

"His work in track has really added an explosive element to his game," Farrell said. "But he's not a runner that can throw. He's definitely a pro-style quarterback that can run. Hell be more comfortable dropping back and looking to throw first, and then if needed, or if the play calls for it, run."

The No. 39 player nationally, Newsome is the third Michigan commitment ranked among the top-50 prospects in the country, joining five-star Detroit defensive tackle Will Campbell (No. 23) and four-star Massillon, Ohio, defensive back Justin Turner (No. 47). Expect more top-end recruits to find their way to Ann Arbor with Newsome's commitment.

"He's not a kid that will go out and recruit - he's a quiet kid so I don't think he'll be making phone calls - but everyone wants to play with great players and he's a great player," Farrell said. "He'll be able to help because of his name recognition."

Farrell expects Newsome to enroll early, which would help the four-star fight for playing time as early as his true freshman campaign.

"I don't know that any freshman is truly ready to start from day one - Chad Henne did it because he had to," Farrell said. "Usually that much responsibility ruins a kid. No one is ready for that. But Kevin is a kid that could be contributing when he's a freshman and maybe making a bigger impact as the season unfolds."

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (YtownBlue)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:27:49 GMT

SI article

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (Franch Dressing)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:43:50 GMT

Good call on the Wayne Brady look-a-like! I knew he looked like someone and just couldn't put it together!

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (weissterry)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:05:38 GMT

Chesapeake, Va, brings back very fond memories to me. Back in '68 and '69, I was handed a Little Leage baseball team everyone referred to as "the scrubs". I heard this coach didn't want them, so I volunteered to coach them, since I love baseball (football just as much). I was in the Navy then, so I got two of my shipmates to pitch in. In no time, the three of us won those kids' enthusiasm, but still ended up last out of six teams that year. The next year, however, those kids proved themselves "champs". We lost only one game, yet came in second, and without the kids feelings being hurt too badly. One of our kids was the very best in the league. So good that the three of us predicted he'd be playing in the majors someday. Oh, well. I got orders to shore-duty and lost track of him. It's something when you see a natural athlete. He or she is like poetry in motion. Beautiful, like Mickey Mantle, even when he struck out swinging. -- KEVIN NEWSOME FROM CHESAPEAKE, VA., you're a natural athlete, plus you're smart. WELCOME, BRAND-NEW MICHIGAN WOLVERINE AND GO BLUE!!

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (woleverine4life)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:57:39 GMT

Woot! Woot!

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (wangler to carter)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:15:56 GMT

Welcome to the Big House Kevin!!! He will look great wearing Maize & Blue. This is a big recruit for us.

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (The_Michigan_Man)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:26:51 GMT

Well, this just makes me feel that much better, and if TF is talking about a tandum...maybe thats a little forshadowing?? Who know, but I know I would LOVE to see a 2 QB system with any of the 3 (Feagin, Forcier, Newsome) Talk about throwing defenses off!!

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (ohowihate Ohio State)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:31:37 GMT

In the words of me, "HOLY HELL YEAH!!"
Even though the past couple days this was expected, I can't be more stoked. Love the kids attitude so far. Seems like a honorable family so I would be real surprised if he decommits. Thank you Business School, thank you Coach, and thank you Newsome!

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (Petey)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:48:42 GMT

Well this is fantastic. Welcome Kevin! Go Blue!

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (minifry6)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:23:12 GMT

Good Call Deuce22....He will definately be the face of our recruiting when we go after WR and RB and OL. He can get to know guys we are recruiting, tell him he wants them to come play together. It is very big landing him early, where as Pryor didnt decide til after recruiting was over, OSU may have been able to pull in a couple different guys for their O (i know they still got alot) if he had decided earlier. We should see many positives with his committ.

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (deuce22)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:02:56 GMT

I like it also that he pulled the trigger early, maybe it will help get some other high profile offensive guys on board now that the ball is really rolling...also doesn't hurt that it helps kill the perception that UM "doesn't have a QB". If he's really enrolling early that makes this almost too good to be true!

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (aMaizingMachine)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:01:17 GMT

ORIGINAL: Michiganmade

Glad to hear it and EXCITED to have him as a WOLVERINE!!!!! I believe he will be an early enrollee also giving him valuable time to practice and get conditioned.

Better yet, IF he can enroll in December, he can work out with the team before the bowl game, like Grady did a few years back.. I would think he will also come here this summer.. So yes he will be very prepared freshmen, this early commit and enroll is huge, in many ways.

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (OC Michigan Fan)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:39:55 GMT

Oh, and big props to Kevin for figuring things out early, being able to focus on his senior season, and avoiding the whole stupid hat stunt.

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (OC Michigan Fan)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:33:51 GMT

I glanced this morning and thought i saw that the Newsome thread was the same as last night's. I didn't notice the "COMMIT #6" part. YES!!!! I'm not saying he's the next coming of anyone, but every quote I've read from him is 100% right on what I want to hear from my quarterback. Solid head on his shoulders, solid family support it sounds, what a great day for Michigan! Way to go RichRod and staff (Jackson)!

RE: Commit #6 - Kevin Newsome (MaizeRage6320)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:04:38 GMT

ORIGINAL: scmgoblue

Big get, have to like the way the class is shaping up... how do you think this affects the rest of the qb recruits we're looking at for this class? You gotta believe Rodriguez wants to bring in 2 or 3.

Well on Newsome's myspace page Tate Forcier left a pretty interesting quote about a Leak/Tebow type thing.

And on a side note... Holy crap Newsome looks like Wayne Brady!