Jer'Zhan Newton

Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton (born August 31, 2002) is an American football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, where he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and earned consensus All-American honors in 2023. Newton was selected by the Commanders in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life
Newton was born on August 31, 2002, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He attended and played football at Clearwater Central Catholic High School in Clearwater, Florida, where he recorded 244 tackles and 24 sacks. He originally committed to play college football for the Maryland Terrapins before switching to the Illinois Fighting Illini at the University of Illinois.

College career
As a true freshman for the Illinois Fighting Illini in 2020, Newton played in all eight games with two starts and had 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks. In 2021, he started 11 of 12 games, recording 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Newton returned to Illinois in 2022. Newton declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the 2023 season, where he was named a consensus All-American and the Big 10's Nagurski–Woodson Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his career with 18 sacks, tying Moe Gardner for the most for an Illinois defensive tackle.

Professional career
Newton was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the second round (36th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft. He underwent surgery in May 2024 to fix a Jones fracture in his left foot, which followed the same surgery on his right foot four months prior. Newton signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $9.75 million, on June 13, 2024. He was placed on the non-football injury list for the start of training camp.

Personal life
Newton has four brothers, all of whom have played college football. His older brother Jerjuan ranks in the top ten in Toledo Rockets career touchdown receptions.