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#29 Sean Newlan |
Position: Defensive Back Previous College: None Projection: Second-String Status: On Scholarship |
Sean Austin Thomas Newlan (b. Dec. 20, 1994) is everyone's favorite under-the-radar recruit from the class of 2013. Originally slated as a grayshirt, he was called up to the big leagues last summer to help to fill out the class.
Newlan, who ended up redshirting in 2013 even though I thought he potentially could play, projects as a safety. I expect him to settle in as Dylan Schellenberg's backup this year, then be the starting free safety for the next three.
When discussing Newlan, a variety of names surface — Jordy Nelson, Ty Zimmerman, Marcus Watts, Jon McGraw.
Like Newlan, all of them played quarterback in high school, spent at least some time at defensive back in college and are freak athletes. Fast, rangy, heady — those adjectives describe them all.
Newlan was named an all-state honorable mention performer as a junior and senior by VarsityKansas.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal while prepping at Phillipsburg. He also participated in the 2013 Kansas Shrine Bowl.
He was an all-league selection at quarterback, defensive back and punter; a four-year letterman in football; and a three-year letterman in basketball, and track and field.
The back-to-back Kansas 3A State champion in the 110-meter hurdles, Newlan also won the 3A crown in the 300-meter hurdles and placed second in the discus in 2012. I'm expecting big things from this kid down the line.