Johnny Newton C
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learwater Central Catholic’s Jerzhan “Johnny” Newton is a
6-3, 255-lb. man-child who will start his senior year at age 16 and is a force at multiple positions. He’s so tough that he played four weeks last year with a broken leg. “It didn’t really hurt like that,” Newton said modestly. “It was more of an aching pain.” Even so, Newton knew something was wrong because all he could do was jog as opposed to a full-on sprint. When he finally got it checked out, the fracture was revealed, and he missed five games. Newton returned for the playoffs and was a terror, posting 8.5 sacks in three games and helping the Marauders reach the Class 3A state semifinals. “Johnny has special athleticism for a guy his size,” Marauders coach Chris Harvey said. “He runs a 4.6 (40-yard dash), and he could be a hybrid defensive end/ outside linebacker in college or an H-back/tight end.” As a sophomore, Newton was the Tampa Bay Times Pinellas County Offensive Player of the Year. It was his first year playing running back, and he bludgeoned defenders by rushing for 1,365 yards and 15 touchdowns. Newton, who wants to be an engineer, likes Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Miami and West Virginia. Three of his brothers are already playing college football – cornerback Jerjuan at Toledo and twins Jervon (running back) and Jerquan (linebacker) at West Florida. Their 12-year-old brother, Jershaun, is a quarterback who appears to be the best athlete of the bunch. But for now, at least, Johnny is the best prospect, and Harvey pointed toward a run he made in 2017 as proof. “Johnny got hit two yards deep in the end zone, but he ended up gaining 12 yards,” Harvey said. “By the time he hit the turf, every Calvary Christian player was riding his back. … He’s one of the toughest kids I’ve coached.”
SENIOR | ATHLETE | CLEARWATER CENTRAL
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