INDIANAPOLIS – As Day Three of the 2014 Combine began to drag on, one prospect quickly livened up the Colts ensemble in attendance.
The way Jonathan Newsome was moving effortlessly through drills down on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium made the team who calls that venue home take a few extra notes.
The local kid from Ball State had caught the Colts eye.
Ryan Grigson recalled the story after the Colts drafted Newsome last May.
"It was one of those things where everyone was a little bit in the doldrums and all of a sudden, he was out there moving around and everyone perked up and we all looked and said, 'Who's that?' That's when it all started pretty much. Then we start scrutinizing the tape," Grigson said.
Newsome's tape confirmed what the Colts witnessed at the Combine.
Now the worry was would Newsome be available to a Colts draft with just five picks (only two of those in the first 165 picks).
Grigson knew it would be difficult to find an impactful pass rusher after the third round but his patience would serve him well.
Newsome fell to pick No. 166.
After two seasons at Ball State, Newsome had shown the talent that earned him a scholarship offer to Ohio State out of Glenville High School.
Off-the-field issues contributed to Newsome's fall in the draft.
Even though the Colts had just five picks last year, Newsome had a feeling he wouldn't have to go far for his professional career after his draft visit to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
"When I sat down with coach Pagano, I did this with every coach I sat down with but it was just so legit when I sat down with coach Pagano and told him my whole story and who I was as a person and what my purpose was, who I do it for. I do it for my family. It's not just me. It's bigger than me," Newsome said looking back.
"We had a surreal conversation. When I left this place I kind of already knew I was going to end up here before the draft started."
|
Rookie Sack Leaders |
2014 Sacks |
2014 Draft Spot |
|
DT-Aaron Donald |
9.0 |
No. 13 (Rams) |
|
OLB-Jonathan Newsome |
6.5 |
No. 166 (Colts) |
|
OLB-Aaron Lynch |
6.0 |
No. 150 (49ers) |
|
OLB-Devon Kennard |
4.5 |
No. 174 (Giants) |
|
OLB-Anthony Barr |
4.0 |
No. 9 (Vikings) |
|
DE-Kony Ealy |
4.0 |
No. 60 (Panthers) |
|
DE-Timmy Jernigan |
4.0 |
No. 48 (Ravens) |
|
OLB-Khalil Mack |
4.0 |
No. 5 (Raiders) |
A jubilant Newsome ran circles around his backyard when the Colts announced his name at Pick No. 166.
Finding a player near the end of the fifth round usually leads to much smaller expectations in a rookie season.
Newsome though made sure to remember the 29 defensive ends and outside linebackers chosen before him.
"That's another chip on my shoulder," Newsome said of his draft selection.
"165 players are supposed to be better than me. I've always had to prove myself as far as guys overlooking me, being underrated."
After a season of 6.5 sacks, the most for any rookie defensive end/outside linebacker, Newsome won't be flying under the radar for much longer.
@RobertMathis98 im just gon be the one you pass torch too fam. let em kno — Jonathan Newsome (@JNEW_11) January 31, 2015
