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INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts went defensive with their third pick in the 2014 Draft, taking defensive end Jonathan Newsome from Ball State in the fifth round (the 166th overall choice).
Newsome, 6-3, 236, played his first two seasons at Ohio State before transferring to Ball State. He is the first Ball State player drafted by the Colts.
"It is a dream-come-true moment," said Newsome. "It's been a long, stressful process. I'm happy to be a Colt. I can't to ball-out and make plays for this team."
Newsome started 11 games in 2013 and was an All-MAC first-team choice. Newsome had 64 tackles in his final season, 11.5 for losses. He additionally had eight sacks for 54 yards.
In two seasons at Ball State, Newsome had 116 tackles, 49 solo, and 16.5 sacks. He also had 24 tackles for losses. Newsome had seven stops in four different games (vs. Toledo, vs. Kent State, at Akron and vs. Central Michigan).
Newsome had two sacks and 2.5 tackles for losses at Virginia. The sack total tied a career-high (also Central Michigan). Newsome's lone interception came at Eastern Michigan.
Newsome was an All-MAC second-team choice in 2012.
Newsome spent 2009-10 at Ohio State, playing in 18 contests primarily as a special teamer. According to Newsome, there were "some things" that happened off the field that caused him to reassess his career and direction, and the corrective path led to Muncie.
Newsome has experience in a 3-4 and 4-3 defense and has exposure in a stand-up role.
The Colts are entering a third season in a 3-4 scheme. With veteran free agency additions in the last few seasons to fit the scheme, how Newsome will be used could be a spring project.
One draft analyst said Newsome has "Robert Mathis-type" ability, a comparison Newsome embraced. Mathis was a fifth-round choice of the Colts in 2003. He is the franchise leader with 111 sacks, while earning six Pro Bowl nominations.
"I think that's a good comparison," said Newsome. "We ran multiple fronts at Ball State. We ran 4-3, we ran 3-4, we ran a lot of nickel. When we ran 3-4, I was an outside linebacker. I stood up a lot. When we ran a 4-3, I stood up on the edge. I can do all that stuff."
Last year, the Colts' top pick, Bjoern Werner, came from Germany through Florida State and could not wait to meet Mathis. He said he would hang on every word Mathis could impart to forward his career.
Later, free agent Daniel Adongo took pretty much the same approach with Mathis after joining the Colts from professional rugby. Now, Mathis' learning entourage has a new member.
"I'm going to be his little brother. He doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to be like his little brother," said Newsome. "I'm going to learn from (him). I watched him all last year. We have similar builds.
"I can't wait to learn from him. He led the league in sacks last year. That's what I love to do – sack the quarterback. Why not learn from the best?"
