Newsome

[huskysupporter]

He is a nice back. Good hands and good out of the backfield but when you see a really good back you see he is a bit slower than the best. Caulley Brown Todman were all much much better stronger and faster. I think he is more on the next level with Dixon and Brockington-excellent college backs but not quite at the next level. Even watching Mack yesterday. While he didn't have a great game he was always a threat to break one and finally did rip off a very sweet long run. Todman Brown Caulley could all do that. I don't see that explosiveness in Newsome. He is best getting the ball in space as a receiver.

We must be watching different games. His vision, burst, and change direction ability are top notch.

 

[epark88]

Walter Payton never had that '5th gear' either.

I ain't saying, I'm just saying...

 

[superjohn]

He is a nice back. Good hands and good out of the backfield but when you see a really good back you see he is a bit slower than the best. Caulley Brown Todman were all much much better stronger and faster. I think he is more on the next level with Dixon and Brockington-excellent college backs but not quite at the next level. Even watching Mack yesterday. While he didn't have a great game he was always a threat to break one and finally did rip off a very sweet long run. Todman Brown Caulley could all do that. I don't see that explosiveness in Newsome. He is best getting the ball in space as a receiver.

Newsome is half way through is soph year and is just now getting more carries so obviously those guys accomplished more and they are bigger and probably stronger but faster, no. Newsome has 4.4 speed, no way we're those guys running faster.

 

[freescooter]

You also can't compare a player whose touches are limited because he can't deal with the pounding to Donald or Todman. Brown gained what -- like 2200 yards at his peak? And we're putting Newsome, who hasn't come near 1000 yet, in that discussion.

Love the kid and he's a serious weapon, but please.

I don't disagree. But he is a different kind of back.

 

[freescooter]

Walter Payton never had that '5th gear' either.

I ain't saying, I'm just saying...

Well that's an absurd comparison. Newsome or most other backs for that matter couldn't carry Payton's jock. Just sayin'.

 

[businesslawyer]

I don't disagree. But he is a different kind of back.

He is a different kind of back. Scatbacks are less valuable than true TBs for that reason.

That having been said, Newsome is extremely quick, and gets sharply, both of which are more important than true sprinters speed. The old Giant Joe Morris was deceptively slow, but had incredible quickness and acceleration through the hole.

 

[kris1]

To put Newsome's season, thus far, in perspective he ranks 19th in the country in total all purpose yards (944 in 7 games, an average of 8.8 per play) and 26th in yards/game at 134.9. Newsome had 1073 total all purpose yards in 2014. He's on pace to shatter that mark.

Since becoming the starter/feature back in October (3 games), he is averaging 10.4 yds/play and 208.7 yds/game.

By comparison:

2008 - Donald Brown lead the team in total yards with 2208, an average of 5.7 yds/play and 169.8 yds/game. In October (3 games), Brown averaged 4.5 yds/play and 107.3 yds/game. Jordan Todman was second on that team in total yards with 663. He averaged 10.4 yds/play and 60.3 yds/game.

2009 - Jordan Todman lead the team in total yards with 1879, an average of 6.8 per play and 144.5 per game. In October (4 games), Todman averaged 6.3 per play and 99.3 per game. Andre Dixon was second at 1208 total yards. He averaged 4.8 and 92.7, respectively.

2010 - Jordan Todman, 1844 total yards, 5.2 per play, 153.7 per game. In October (4 games) 4.7 per play, 143.5 per game. Robbie Frey was second at 835 total yards, an average of 8.9 and 75.9, respectively.

2011 - Lyle McCombs, 1323 total yards, 4.5 per play, 110.3 per game. In October (4 games) 4.9 per play, 131.3 per game. Nick Williams was second at 1282 total yards, an average of 18.1 and 106.8, respectively.

2012 - Nick Williams, 1116 total yards, 13.1 per play, 93.0 per game. In October (3 games) 9.6 per play, 54.7 per game. Lyle McCombs was second at 1090 total yards, 4.1 and 99.1, respectively.

2013 - Lyle McCombs, 1229 total yards, 5.7 per play, 102.4 per game. In October (3 games) 6.2 per play, 88.7 per game. Jeremy Davis was second at 1085 total yards, 15.3 and 90.4, respectively.

2014 - Arkeel Newsome, 1073 total yards, 11.4 per play, 89.4 per game. Deshon Foxx was second at 716 total yards, 10.8 and 59.7, respectively.

Newsome is one of the most dynamic players in school history. He's a blend of power, elusiveness, and speed. He's just a sophomore, playing behind a young below average offensive line. Yet, he's putting up numbers comparable to some of the best in recent years. He may be diminutive, but he's a triple-threat like none this school has ever seen. We've had great backs, great receivers, and great return guys. Some were great at two of the three. He has a chance to great at all three. That's rare. Let's just sit back and enjoy the ride.....

cfbstats.com

 

[Clockshop]

“We’re allowing his light to shine,” Diaco said. “He’s always been very talented and he loves playing football. He’s got good or very good football intelligence. Moxy, guts and he’s a highly competitive person. You just see his maturity there, that he’s living the right way. It’s allowing him to play fast and play hard and be healthy and produce.”

http://www.litchfieldcountysports.com/stories/ansonias-newsome-shining-at-uconn/#.VifBd_6FNQs

 

[businesslawyer]

To put Newsome's season, thus far, in perspective he ranks 19th in the country in total all purpose yards (944 in 7 games, an average of 8.8 per play) and 26th in yards/game at 134.9. Newsome had 1073 total all purpose yards in 2014. He's on pace to shatter that mark.

Since becoming the starter/feature back in October (3 games), he is averaging 10.4 yds/play and 208.7 yds/game.

By comparison:

2008 - Donald Brown lead the team in total yards with 2208, an average of 5.7 yds/play and 169.8 yds/game. In October (3 games), Brown averaged 4.5 yds/play and 107.3 yds/game. Jordan Todman was second on that team in total yards with 663. He averaged 10.4 yds/play and 60.3 yds/game.

2009 - Jordan Todman lead the team in total yards with 1879, an average of 6.8 per play and 144.5 per game. In October (4 games), Todman averaged 6.3 per play and 99.3 per game. Andre Dixon was second at 1208 total yards. He averaged 4.8 and 92.7, respectively.

2010 - Jordan Todman, 1844 total yards, 5.2 per play, 153.7 per game. In October (4 games) 4.7 per play, 143.5 per game. Robbie Frey was second at 835 total yards, an average of 8.9 and 75.9, respectively.

2011 - Lyle McCombs, 1323 total yards, 4.5 per play, 110.3 per game. In October (4 games) 4.9 per play, 131.3 per game. Nick Williams was second at 1282 total yards, an average of 18.1 and 106.8, respectively.

2012 - Nick Williams, 1116 total yards, 13.1 per play, 93.0 per game. In October (3 games) 9.6 per play, 54.7 per game. Lyle McCombs was second at 1090 total yards, 4.1 and 99.1, respectively.

2013 - Lyle McCombs, 1229 total yards, 5.7 per play, 102.4 per game. In October (3 games) 6.2 per play, 88.7 per game. Jeremy Davis was second at 1085 total yards, 15.3 and 90.4, respectively.

2014 - Arkeel Newsome, 1073 total yards, 11.4 per play, 89.4 per game. Deshon Foxx was second at 716 total yards, 10.8 and 59.7, respectively.

Newsome is one of the most dynamic players in school history. He's a blend of power, elusiveness, and speed. He's just a sophomore, playing behind a young below average offensive line. Yet, he's putting up numbers comparable to some of the best in recent years. He may be diminutive, but he's a triple-threat like none this school has ever seen. We've had great backs, great receivers, and great return guys. Some were great at two of the three. He has a chance to great at all three. That's rare. Let's just sit back and enjoy the ride.....

cfbstats.com

Talk about an absurd use of statistics. The higher pecentage of your touches are kickoff returns, compared to catches or runs, the higher your yards per touch will be. The higher percentage of your touches are catches compared to runs, the higher your yards per touch will be.

Arkeel Newsome is coming along quite nicely, and I hope and expect will ultimately put up numbers as an all purpose back that will compare quite nicely to Nick Williams and Robbie Frey. But if you think those numbers means his performance or value is comparable to the Donald or Todman, you are as wrong as wrong can be.

 

[kris1]

Talk about an absurd use of statistics. The higher pecentage of your touches are kickoff returns, compared to catches or runs, the higher your yards per touch will be. The higher percentage of your touches are catches compared to runs, the higher your yards per touch will be.

Arkeel Newsome is coming along quite nicely, and I hope and expect will ultimately put up numbers as an all purpose back that will compare quite nicely to Nick Williams and Robbie Frey. But if you think those numbers means his performance or value is comparable to the Donald or Todman, you are as wrong as wrong can be.

Fair point. I'm not saying Newsome's performance or value is comparable to Brown or Todman. From an overall production standpoint, as Newsome continues to grow, his impact will increase. He's becoming a better runner, a better receiver, blocker, and return man. I'm excited about his future with this team. He can be 1,000+ rusher, a 700+ receiver, and a 600+ returner. I have no doubt, if he stays healthy, he will be better then Williams and Frey. He may never put up the rushing yards of Brown or Todman, but his overall production could make him the most exciting player in school history. I'm going to enjoy watching his evolution.

 

[J187Money]

Talk about an absurd use of statistics. The higher pecentage of your touches are kickoff returns, compared to catches or runs, the higher your yards per touch will be. The higher percentage of your touches are catches compared to runs, the higher your yards per touch will be. Arkeel Newsome is coming along quite nicely, and I hope and expect will ultimately put up numbers as an all purpose back that will compare quite nicely to Nick Williams and Robbie Frey. But if you think those numbers means his performance or value is comparable to the Donald or Todman, you are as wrong as wrong can be.

Agreed. Strip out the return yardage and let's talk.

The fact that he is a returner and we are starting to see some progress there is great but still doesn't affect his RB stats. Brown didn't return kicks at all.

 

[businesslawyer]

Donald rushed for 2083 yards and 5.7 a carry on a team that could't throw the ball to save its life. When Donald was taken out for a breather after a long run, Donald glared at Edsall all the way to the sidelines, kept his helmet on and walked back onto the field the next play without waiting to be sent in. When someone tried to arm tackle Brown, no UConn fan held their breath uncertain whether he'd break the tackle or not.

Comparisons to Donald Brown in 2008 should be used as infrequently as Hitler analogies.

 

[UConn9604]

Donald rushed for 2083 yards and 5.7 a carry on a team that could't throw the ball to save its life. When Donald was taken out for a breather after a long run, Donald glared at Edsall all the way to the sidelines, kept his helmet on and walked back onto the field the next play without waiting to be sent in. When someone tried to arm tackle Brown, no UConn fan held their breath uncertain whether he'd break the tackle or not.

Comparisons to Donald Brown in 2008 should be used as infrequently as Hitler analogies.

His stiffarms from that Cincy blowout at home in 2008 belong in the Stiffarm Hall of Fame. They were just ferocious.

From the Great Santini:

 

[UConn9604]

Donald rushed for 2083 yards and 5.7 a carry on a team that could't throw the ball to save its life. When Donald was taken out for a breather after a long run, Donald glared at Edsall all the way to the sidelines, kept his helmet on and walked back onto the field the next play without waiting to be sent in. When someone tried to arm tackle Brown, no UConn fan held their breath uncertain whether he'd break the tackle or not.

Comparisons to Donald Brown in 2008 should be used as infrequently as Hitler analogies.

I almost forgot about the time he beat Temple by himself in a monsoon, but definitely didn't forget about Virginia.

 

[Kgun7]

Agreed. Strip out the return yardage and let's talk.

The fact that he is a returner and we are starting to see some progress there is great but still doesn't affect his RB stats. Brown didn't return kicks at all.

Without detracting from the point you were trying to make, which I agree with, I must remind you that Brown did return kicks his freshman and sophomore season.

 

[Bonehead]

Not a good comparison...DB has/had only 12 career KO returns, all his FR year. AN has 47 in his career already.

Donald Brown KO return history :

2006 Connecticut Big East FR RB
12 games freshman year
9KO returns for 210 yards 23.3 average


Arkeel Newsome KO return history :
2014 Connecticut American FR RB 12 36 730 20.3
2015 Connecticut American SO RB 7 11 273 24.8 0 0 0

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players

 

[Kgun7]

Not a good comparison...DB has/had only 12 career KO returns, all his FR year. AN has 47 in his career already.

Donald Brown KO return history :

2006 Connecticut Big East FR RB
12 games freshman year
9KO returns for 210 yards 23.3 average


Arkeel Newsome KO return history :
2014 Connecticut American FR RB 12 36 730 20.3
2015 Connecticut American SO RB 7 11 273 24.8 0 0 0

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players

Thanks for the stats ... I'll always take reality over my memory!

 

[J187Money]

Without detracting from the point you were trying to make, which I agree with, I must remind you that Brown did return kicks his freshman and sophomore season.

Agreed - but not in the 2008 year that is in the data set.

 

[pnow15]

Let's hope the NFL scouts don't find out that we have a back who is a cross between Foreman and Payton.

 

[Kgun7]

Agreed - but not in the 2008 year that is in the data set.

Oops ... see that now ... my bad.

 

[Rewster]

His stiffarms from that Cincy blowout at home in 2008 belong in the Stiffarm Hall of Fame. They were just ferocious.

From the Great Santini:

Damn that makes me miss Donald Brown!!!!!!

 

[bmayuc]

DBrown was a college beast. Just too strong/quick to be tackled by the first guy. So many arm tackles.

 

[uconnbill]

Newsome is half way through is soph year and is just now getting more carries so obviously those guys accomplished more and they are bigger and probably stronger but faster, no. Newsome has 4.4 speed, no way we're those guys running faster.

Caulley was faster than Newsome and might have been the fastest player ever at UConn