Four questions about Johnny Newton with The Champaign Room

Q&A with The Champaign Room

In an effort to learn more about one of the recent additions to Washington’s roster, I reached out to the folks running the University of Illinois SBNation site, The Champaign Room, to see if they might provide some insight into defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. Matt Rejc graciously agreed to do so.

My questions, and his answers, are below:

1. For many Washington fans, it was a real surprise that the team grabbed Newton in the early second round, as defensive tackle was considered to be one of the few position group strengths on the team. Most fans, myself included, hadn’t spent much time watching film on Newton because he was being pitched as a first round talent, and it seemed almost impossible the team would have any chance at him. Do you have any thoughts on why he might have “slipped” in the draft?

Commanders fans were probably just as surprised as Illini fans to see Newton fall to the second round. It doesn’t seem like there was any one single issue that caused his slip, and honestly I’m not buying any of the reasons that I’ve seen presented over the past few weeks.

Some teams may have had some concerns about whether or not the foot injury he sustained last season had healed, but I don’t think there’s any reason to believe it’s still holding him back. Other, more outlandish theories have also made the rounds online, all of which are thoroughly nonsensical.

Before the draft, a rumor that Newton was “hard to coach at times” prompted a firm refutation from the Illini defensive staff. That rumor left many Illini fans puzzled who were accustomed to seeing Newton as a consistent and vocal leader on the defense, whether he was on the field or not. Also prompting some head scratches were the questions about the quality of his opponents.

Over the past two years, Newton had been consistently facing off against future NFL offensive linemen in the Big Ten week in and week out. Outside of playing in the SEC, I’m not sure what else he could’ve done to further prove that he belongs in the NFL.

2. After the team drafted Newton, and I started digging in, I was blown away by how disruptive Newton was at times. Please tell our readers about what Newton did best, and what he meant to the Illini defense. How would you compare him to other, recent defensive standouts who have played for Illinois, like Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown?

You nailed it. Disruption is the name of the game for Johnny Newton. He’s not at all the type of interior defensive lineman who’s content to simply take up space and plug gaps.

On every snap, he’s looking to get into the backfield to either blow up a run play or force the quarterback out of the pocket. Like Witherspoon and Brown, Newton was originally recruited out of high school by former Illinois HC Lovie Smith, who specifically sought out all three of those players for the intensity and violence that they brought every time the ball was snapped.

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph, Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs, and the Commanders’ own Quan Martin were also cut from this same mold. Newton’s game was further elevated by current Illinois HC Bret Bielema, who served on the New England Patriots defensive staff from 2018-2019. Johnny Newton has received NFL coaching since the day he set foot in Champaign, and his play style reflects it.

3. What are your projections, if any, about how Newton is likely to transition to the pros? Do you have any thoughts on how he might fit into Washington’s defense?

I doubt the Commanders would have spent an early second round pick on a player to supplement their already strong defensive front unless they fully expected him to contribute right away.

We’ve seen plenty of professional defensive linemen playing at Illinois over the past decade or so, from Corey Liuget to Whitney Mercilus and Jihad Ward. Most Illini fans have known that Newton was essentially NFL-ready as a middle round pick by 2022. But he decided to stay in college and further refine his game in 2023, which has clearly paid dividends for him.

Newton will be a great complement to Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. I don’t expect the Commanders defense to skip a beat when he steps in for one of them.

4. Do you have anything else to add about Johnny Newton?

It’s already somewhat cliche among Illinois fans, but Johnny Newton was actually a running back in high school who made the full-time transition to defensive line at the collegiate level and ended up thriving at his new position. He brings that fact up on occasion, and he has every right to be proud of it. That he was once a rushing threat out of the offensive backfield speaks volumes about his athleticism and his football IQ.

Thanks so much, Matt, for giving us insight into one the newest Commanders.