Illinois football has a rich history of moving players to different positions and seeing them succeed.
When you come into the college ranks playing a certain position, that doesn’t mean you are pigeonholed into that one position. Bret Bielema has done a great job moving players around to enhance their skills and show off their true talent.
On Monday, during the post-practice press conference, Bielema laid out a big position change that piques my interest.
“We did move Jershaun Newton to wide receiver.”
This is a drastic move from quarterback, but Newton isn’t learning the position on the fly.
“He’s probably been at that position since, probably, the second week of June. So, he has had the majority of the summer to put himself in that position.”
Coming out of Clearwater Catholic High School in Florida, Newton was a three-star recruit and the No. 759 player in the class of 2025. He had numerous big-time offers, including the likes of Florida State and Miami (FL), but he picked Illinois.
I thought Newton could have been a decent quarterback for the Illini, but he is making the move to wide receiver. Illinois has a recent case study of this exact thing happening.
Just a few years ago, Isaiah Williams was trying to play quarterback for Illinois. He was electric with his feet, but the arm just wasn’t there. Bielema took over in Champaign, and Williams made the switch to wide receiver.
The results were incredible. In Williams’ final three seasons, he had 525 yards, 715 yards, and 1,055 yards receiving at Illinois. He is now dabbling in the NFL.
I think the Illini are trying to catch lightning in a bottle again. Newton has the athletic ability to be a talented wide receiver, and I am excited to see what he can do on the field.
The move of Jershaun Newton to wide receiver helps make up for Illinois’ loss of Davon Grant
During the press conference, Bielema laid out some bad news. Wide receiver Davon Grant is no longer on the team after some health issues were revealed. This left a hole on the depth chart.
Newton’s move to wide receiver fills that void. I had Grant as a third string wide receiver, and I think that is where Newton would fit in.
I believe Bielema said Newton was working with the second string, but honestly, I think there is going to be a big rotation of wide receivers this season. The second and third string will see snaps.
Newton could be a sneaky player for the Illini. If he can show off great speed and hands, especially in the slot, then don’t be surprised if he continues to increase snaps as the season progresses. This is an intriguing position move.
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