All-America Honors Start Rolling In For Newton

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton was named to five All-America lists on Wednesday by publications around the country. Newton was named a first team All-American by The Athletic, CBS, PFF, Sports Illustrated, and USA TODAY. 

One of the most disruptive players in the nation, Newton is now a back-to-back All-American after earning numerous second-team honors a year ago. This season, Newton has added Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Nagurski Trophy finalist, as one of the nation’s top five defensive players, to his growing list of accolades. 

Newton led Power-5 defensive tackles in quarterback pressures for the second straight season in 2023, according to PFF. His 44 pressures during the regular season led all Big Ten defensive tackles by 15, and he also led Big Ten defensive tackles in sacks with 7.5, which ranked second overall in the conference. Over the last two seasons, Newton totaled 103 quarterback pressures, by far the most in the nation among defensive tackles. 

Newton is looking to become the second Illini defender to earn Consensus All-American honors in as many years, following DB Devon Witherspoon last season. The five All-America lists that make up consensus status begin announcements on Friday with the Walter Camp All-America Team during the ESPN College Football Awards Show, followed by the Football Writers Association of America, Associated Press, Sporting News, and American Football Coaches Association next week. Illinois last had back-to-back seasons with Consensus All-Americans in 1994 and 1995, when linebackers Dana Howard (1994) and Kevin Hardy (1995) were both honored.