Countdown to Kickoff: 41 Days (Clyde Newton)

Clyde Newton chases down Ohio State's Braxton Miller during the team's showdown during the 2013 season. Newton looks to be a major contributor at linebacker this fall. Source: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images North America

Written By Nick Holmes (@Hoosier_Holmes)

Good Sunday Afternoon everyone, we hope you have been able to stay cool during this final weekend of July. Our Countdown to Kickoff continues, now just 41 days separating us from the first football action of the 2015 season inside Indiana's Memorial Stadium. The team will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of Sept. 5th, ready to put the 2014 season behind them and focus on what could be a very special season for the Cream and Crimson. A player that could play a pivotal role in helping the Hoosiers realize their goals of reaching the post season is linebacker Clyde Newton.

Newton was a member of the Hoosiers' highly-touted 2013 recruiting class and arrived on campus that summer. Before making a splash in Bloomington, he was a student on both sides of the ball at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla. During his senior season at linebacker, he recorded 108 tackles, with two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. As a running back he ran for 1,938 yards and 23 touchdowns. As a result of his exploits on the gridiron he earned the 7A District Player of the Year Award.

When his prep football career came to a close, he left the school holding the record for most yards in a game (299) as well as the most 200-yard performances (seven). The versatile athlete lettered in track, wrestling, and weightlifting. He finished third in the state weightlifting finals in 2013. 

As a freshman (2013) at Indiana, he saw action in all 12 games and started in four at weak side linebacker. He recorded 32 tackles, half a sack, and a tackle for loss. During the season he was named IU's Defensive Player of the Week twice. When the season came to a close, Newton was awarded for his efforts, as he was a BTN.com Honorable Mention on the All-Freshman team. 

As a sophomore, Newton saw his playing time reduced, but he still managed to play in all 12 games recording 16 tackles.

Future Outlook

Newton will likely see a considerable amount of playing time and is the favorite to start at the field linebacker position, left vacated by the recently graduated Flo Hardin. Redshirt freshmen Dameon Willis, who we previewed here, and Zeke Walker will also be pressing for action at the position this fall camp, so there appears to be plenty of competition for playing time. Newton does bring one thing to the table the others do not, game experience. Nonetheless, it appears that whomever will get the start, there should still be plenty of snaps to go around at the spot and on special teams.