Prospect To Watch: Jamie Newman, RJr QB, Wake

[Untouchable]

Newman has created some first round buzz for himself over the last year putting up solid numbers repeatedly since coming in late in 2018.  He finished 2018 3-1 as a starter and is now 6-1 this year (missed Wake’s win over FSU and left the teams only loss with an injury).  The North Carolina native has outdueled touted NFL QB prospects like Ryan Finley, Daniel Jones and Jordan Love along the way.  He has looked good against the best defenses he’s faced.  Some of the hardest defenses he will face this year are still to come with Virginia Tech, Clemson, Duke and Syracuse still on their schedule.

I looked at some of the tape and highlights I could find and after I finally got past the read option mesh point I could see where the buzz was coming from.  He is a 6'4" 230 lb mobile dual threat QB, has a good arm, operates inside a vertical passing offense, looks to have good pocket presence and has done well in the face of pressure.  I also saw something that gave me pause though; the Wake WR Corp was surprisingly solid.  Greg Dortch last year as well as Surrant, Washington and Hinton are either using their physicality or route running to consistently stack CBs and make plays at the catch point or gain significant separation.

I don’t see where they are getting 1^st round right now because I see more Josh Dobbs (4^th round) than Deshaun Watson (came away more impressed by Surrant).  Like all the Wake prospects, the Clemson game will be the key to his draft stock.  All the other top defenses he’s faced barely break into the top 50 nationally and consistently making plays while being put in tough situations against a defense littered with NFL prospects would actually send it skyrocketing.  A poor showing, and the 21-year-old might not even enter the draft this season opting for another year in school and a chance to put up more tape.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/why-the-2020-nfl-drafts-best-kept-quarterback-secret-has-first-round-potential/

 

 

 

EDIT:  Wake was without their top 2 WRs but Newman finished the Clemson game 6/14, 41 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT.  He looked very poor without his big physical receivers making plays for him at the catch point.  He should return for his senior year.

[Skack25]

I think he is slightly more talented than Dobbs, but I don't think he will go in the 1st either.  I'm all in on the kid though, wouldn't mind taking a shot in the 2nd, preferably 3rd.  Wake runs some RPO, but it's really strange looking.  Newman takes forever to decide whether to hand the ball off or run it himself.  Almost to the point where he and the RB are almost at a standstill before the decision is made.  Not sure if that's his doing or if it's by design.  He is also from my area, so there's that.

[Untouchable]

Not only did Newman wisely decide to return but he's also entering the transfer pool.

Oregon, Maryland, Miami, Washington and Georgia are reported as likely landing spots.

 

EDIT: He's going to Georgia to replace Fromm.