Cam Newton
Coming off a victory in the BCS National Championship game, Auburn’s Heisman-winning quarterback has decided to join the professional ranks in 2011.
According to the Associated Press, Cam Newton has chosen to forgo his senior season to enter April’s NFL Draft.
“This decision was difficult for me and my family,” Newton said, adding that he made it after talking to coach Gene Chizik and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.
“It’s been a blessing for me to be a part of something so great,” he said. “Any time you win games it’s a big deal, but for this school to win a BCS national championship, what a way to make people happy. Auburn is a special place that I can call home.”
In his first and only season at Auburn, Newton turned in one of the best campaigns in the history of college football. The numbers: 2,854 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, as well as 1,473 rushing yards and 20 TDs on the ground. Newton became only the third player to both pass and rush for 20 touchdowns in one season.
It’s safe to say he trail blazed through a storybook season for the Tigers, who beat Oregon 22-19 on Monday.
While it’s too early to predict where Newton will go in the draft, he might not make it past No. 10, the pick that belongs to the Washington Redskins. Per ESPN’s Matt Mosley, the Skins might set their sights on Newton over the next couple of months; he’d be hard to turn down if Donovan McNabb doesn’t return to D.C., as some reports are suggesting.
Newton certainly has the tools to succeed in the NFL. He has incredible athleticism and play-making ability, and possesses an absolute cannon for an arm. The comparisons have started, ranging anywhere from Michael Vick to Tim Tebow. Newton will be the most talked about player over the next few months — you better believe Redskins coach Mike Shanahan will be listening.
