More on Deon Newsome: Hampton coach Mike Smith thinks versatile prospect could play WR or RB
Hampton coach Mike Smith knew rising senior Deon Newsome wouldn’t stray far from the peninsula when choosing his college.
“If William & Mary had been Division I he might have gone there,” Smith joked. “He wasn’t going to go too far from home.”
Newsome stayed in-state, committing to the Hokies on Thursday. He had an offer from Virginia and had drawn interest from Purdue and Boston College.
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Virginia Tech might have seemed like a foregone conclusion — his father, Myron, was a second-team All-Big East pick in 1996 for the Hokies and has been touted by defensive coordinator Bud Foster as one of the best players he has ever coached – but Smith thinks the decision was all Deon’s.
“I think his dad let him make his mind up,” said Smith, who has Myron on his Hampton staff as an assistant. “He really didn’t get in the mix too much. But I think he had those bloodlines in him. And he really liked his visit to Tech academically for what he wanted to do — construction engineering or something. He really liked what he saw there.”
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Newsome plays on both sides of the ball but would prefer offense, either wide receiver or running back.
“I think probably he could play either one,” Smith said. “He’s going to get bigger. He’s close to 180 now. I think he’ll probably play 205 or something. He’s cut real well. I like him as a receiver. But he also runs the ball well.”
Newsome played both positions last year, in addition to quarterback, cornerback, linebacker and returner. He had 15 catches for 462 yards and three touchdowns and added 287 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, according to the Daily Press. He had four interceptions on defense.
Smith expects Newsome to play quarterback next season, doubling up on defense at strong safety.
“I think he’s so versatile,” Smith said. “He puts so many demands on the defense. He throws the ball well, specifically on the boots, the sprint outs. He’s really dangerous as a runner. So I think he’s going to fit in real well like that.”
May 3, 2012 - 1:53 PM
Sounds like it was to Tech’s advantage that folk in William and Mary’s backyard don’t know that they play Division I football.
I assume he means I-A vs. I-AA.
Wasn’t that the point of changing the terminology from 1A & 1AA to the ridiculous FBS & FCS? I thought it was supposed to stop this type of error.
Smith strikes me as an old school guy. Doubt he calls things FBS and FCS.
The point is, whatever the NCAA wants to call it, it’s two different levels. You can call them both Division I, but one is clearly superior.
Mike Smith knows his stuff, knows how to teach it and is a good advocate to have supporting your program. Ask Al Groh if you don’t believe it’ He got on Smith’s bad side and suffered greatly for it. Not only did he lose Hampton’s players but most of 757′s. Any player coming from his program is fundamentally sound.
I graduated from Hampton High School in 1966 and Mike Smith was my tennis coach. That guy has been there FOREVER!!!
Sounds like a versatile athlete for sure but not that impressed with his offensive numbers for a kid that wants to play offense in college. Maybe they (Tech) are banking on him having a huge senior year on the offensive side of the ball, or maybe the Hokies wasted a scholarship on a mediocre player due to who his dad is…just saying…..
You don’t star on offense, defense, and special teams in that district for that team as a mediocre player. You obviously aren’t too familiar with Hampton if you think that.
Everybody (including me Dan) knows how talent rich the 757 is…that’s just the point…I’m sure there are kids down there with more impressive #’s than this one but Tech or UVa can’t get them. Given Beamer’s tendancy to be extremely loyal to coaches and former players, I don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest that the family name had something to do with signing this kid with average stats. But hey, Beamer’s program makes the money for these scholarships so it’s his to waste if he wants.
Huntersdad, think for a moment. Dan W. has it right – you even supported his point. If the 757 is so talent rich, which most everyone agrees it is, then you don’t get on the field in all three phases of the game if you are a mediocre player.
Again, he has average numbers against top notch talent in the 757 and the district he plays in…how does that translate to a top notch performer at the next level? Are you guys expecting the talent level he faces at Tech to be mediodre? Guys, don’t get me wrong, I’m a big Tech/Beamer fan but Newsome’s numbers as a junior just don’t jump off the page at you…maybe the tech recruiters were afraid he would have a breakout year as a senior thus making him one of those recruits out of the 757 they couldn’t get. To me, his defensive #’s were more impressive than offense, sixty some tackles (I think) and four INT’s…maybe he’ll end up one of Bud’s guys.
Mike Smith runs a VERY conservative offensive philosophy (think two steps right of Woody Hayes), and likes to rotate running backs, so Hampton offensive players rarely have great stats. Still, look at that 30.8 yards/catch…