Josh Newton’s humility is the key to his rise at TCU
There was a sequence at recent TCU open practice at Amon G. Carter Stadium that sums up the type of player cornerback Josh Newton is.
For one of the few times this fall, Newton was beat off the line on a slant route by talented true freshman Jordan Hudson.
The ball was just a tad bit behind Hudson, creating an opening for Newton to recover into the play. Newton delivered a hit, separating Hudson from the ball and breaking up a for sure touchdown.
It’s plays like that, where Newton doesn’t give up even if he’s beaten initially, that has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches alike.
It’s also just one of the many reasons the Louisiana Monroe transfer has shot up the depth chart in preseason camp.
“You’ve got to know where 24 is. He came from ULM, they played a lot of man there, so he’s in your face. It may seem like he’s holding, but he’s really not. He just has good technique. He’s made some plays this fall and we’re really excited about him,” quarterback Chandler Morris said.
Newton started two seasons as a boundary corner for the Warhawks. A receiver in high school, he used that understanding for a productive 2021 year with eight pass breakups and two interceptions for ULM.
Those skills have translated to TCU as Newton has been consistent with his coverage. Head coach Sonny Dykes said he has been most impressed by the way Newton has carried himself off the field.
“He’s been one of the most impressive guys all camp. What I love about him is his attitude and work ethic. He’s the most unentitled player that I’ve probably ever been around,” Dykes said. “He was a good player at another school and never talked about that once. He’s not a guy that’s worried about the past. He’s a guy that wanted an opportunity and has one.
An injury to All-Big 12 corner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson created an opening for one of the corners to step up and take those first team reps. Newton spent much of camp lined alongside Kee’yon Stewart and made his fair share of plays. Hodges-Tomlinson returned to practice Sunday and the coaching staff will have a tough decision to make when it comes to who will start with him on Sept. 2 at Colorado.
Even as he made the most of the opportunity to move up the depth chart on a much bigger stage, Newton hasn’t lost sight of his humble beginnings.
“Being a lesser-recruited guy, coming from the back of line, used to be the smallest guy. I had to really put in the time, the effort and the work to focus to make me the complete human being I am today. I’m just thankful and I thank God too. You can’t forget him,” Newton said.
Homegrown in Monroe
That sense of perspective was molded in Monroe, La. Newton was the definition of a homegrown product.
He grew up to Monroe, played at Ouachita Parrish in Monroe and became a stud corner for Louisiana Monroe. His time at TCU is his first true experience away from home. It’s been different, but hasn’t been difficult for Newton to adjust.
“I’m on my own, but there’s nothing hard about it because at the end of the day I asked for this. I got on my knees and prayed and asked God for this. I was kind of already ready for it,” Newton said. “It’s an adjustment because I’m not at mom’s house. Gotta cook your own food, make sure your house clean, but I’ve watched her do that for years. It prepared me to be who I am now. I’m just thankful.”
Before beginning his ascension in TCU’s secondary, Newton had other affairs he had to handle. While some transfers were able to enroll during the spring and get a leg up adjusting with the staff, Newton was in Monroe playing spring ball with the Warhawks as he tried to accomplish another one of his goals.
“I entered the (transfer) portal in December and decided I was going to come back out because I was going to go graduate. I graduated, handled my business and I did that for my mom and my family,” Newton said. “If I would’ve transferred (in the spring) I would have lost some hours in the classroom.”
That delayed his arrival at TCU, but it never deterred him keeping focused on the end goal.
“I said I’m going to be patient, do what I need to do. Go through spring ball and not lose any reps and still get better at my craft. Then whatever happens after that is going to happen,” Newton said. “God made it happen.”
Good first impression
His steadfast faith helped get him to TCU. It’s his coverage style that’s pushing him up in the cornerback rotation.
“From day one he came up to me and I said this is what it’s going to be. We’re going to go good-on-good, I’m here to work. I’m ready to get you better and you’re here to help me get better,” receiver Quentin Johnston said. “It’s been great working with him. I didn’t know what to expect of him at first, but the first play he came and was getting it on. We’ve both gotten better going against each other.”
After pushing a potential first-round NFL draft pick during training camp, Newton will have his opportunity to showcase his skills at Colorado. Dykes said the Horned Frogs are getting closer to answering some depth chart questions.
Whether Newton is the starter or the first corner off the bench, you can expect he’ll approach each snap by giving it all his.
He’s gotten everything he asked and prayed for.
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
