Illinois Football: A thank you letter to Jer’Zhan Newton

In less than 24 hours, Illinois football fans will have experienced the final game of a legendary career.

I thought I was spoiled when, as an Illini fan, I got to see Devon Witherspoon dominate for the Orange and Blue last season. The superstar cornerback was sensational for Illinois and would ultimately become the 21st consensus All-American in program history.

Flying on cloud nine, I didn’t think a special player like Witherspoon would come around again anytime soon. But then Jer’Zhan Newton happened.

I knew Newton was a great player, everyone did. Last season, he earned second-team All-American by nearly every outlet. He was All-Big Ten first team and was one of the best defensive players in the country.

Newton is now on pace to follow in similar footsteps as Witherspoon. I believe there is a solid chance he will wind up as the 22nd consensus All-American in the history of the Illinois football program. He is a lock to be All-Big Ten first team again, and Newton is listed as the No. 9 overall prospect in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft by Pro Football Focus.

I had a great appreciation for what Witherspoon brought the Illinois football team last season, and I wanted to take a minute to stop and say thank you to Newton.

Thank you, Jer’Zhan Newton, for picking the Illinois football program

It couldn’t have been an easy decision for Newton back in 2019. He committed to Maryland in August 2019 after taking an official visit just a few months prior.

In the last game against Iowa, Newton did a pregame interview and revealed that what got him to flip his commitment and come to Illinois was that then-head coach Lovie Smith was the only coach to come visit him during his high school playoff game.

Without Newton flipping his commitment, Illinois wouldn’t have had the legendary defense we had in 2022. We wouldn’t have had as many wins as we have this season either. That flip of a commitment was huge for the program. Thank you for picking us, Jer’Zhan Newton.

Thank you, Jer’Zhan Newton, for sticking with the Illinois football program

2020 was Newton’s first year in Champaign. He was a big part of this team, playing in every game and getting two starts on the defensive line. But Illinois didn’t play well.

The Illini would flounder during the COVID year, going 2-6 after making a bowl game the season prior. Before the season was over, Lovie was fired and Illinois began a head coaching search.

When a coach who recruited you gets fired, there is a good chance a player bolts the program for greener pastures. Not Newton, though. He could have left Illinois and headed to another program, but he didn’t do that. He stuck with the Illini.

It means a lot to Illinois fans when a player sticks it out with us and finishes his career with the program. Newton stuck with the Orange and Blue despite the turmoil. Thank you for sticking with us, Jer’Zhan Newton.

Thank you, Jer’Zhan Newton, for returning to Illinois for one more season

In 2022, Illinois had one of the greatest defenses I have ever seen in Champaign. We were dominant, and a big reason for this great play was the defense. Illinois won eight games because the defense was so special.

Newton was a huge part of that great Illini defense. As mentioned earlier, he was a second-team All-American by nearly every outlet. Pro Football Focus also had Newton as the No. 22 player in the 2023 NFL Draft.

If you are ranked in the top 32 among all college players, that means there is a good chance you are a first-round draft pick. Checking in at No. 22 is special. Newton would likely have worked his way up the ranking with his performance at the combine and other scouting events as well.

Despite being so highly touted, Newton didn’t head to the NFL. He decided to come back to Illinois for one more season. He could have started his NFL career but picked the Illini over himself. If Newton doesn’t come back this season, Illinois is easily under .500 without the possibility of a bowl game. I would argue we struggle to get to four wins.

I am forever grateful that Newton decided to come back for one more season in Champaign. Thank you for coming back for one more season, Jer’Zhan Newton.

Illinois fans don’t get to experience legendary players very often. With Newton, we have one of the best to ever do it. He isn’t just an all-time Illini great; Newton is an all-time college football great. The College Football Hall of Fame awaits, and I am thankful I got to watch Newton play the game. Thank you, Jer’Zhan Newton.