Jershaun Newton commits to Illinois football: 3-star ATH following brother Jer'Zhan Newton

The Jer’Legacy will continue for the Illinois football program.

Three-star athlete Jershaun Newton announced his commitment to the Fighting Illini on his X account (formerly Twitter), continuing the legacy of the Newton family. He is the younger brother of former Illini star and current Washington Commander Jer'Zhan Newton.

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Here's what you need to know of Jershaun Newton's commitment to the Illini:

Jershaun Newton recruit ranking

• National ranking: No. 669 overall
• Positional ranking: No. 51 athlete
• State ranking: No. 91 player from Florida

According to 247Sports' Composite rankings, the younger Newton, tabbed as a three-star athlete, is ranked as the No. 51 athlete in the 2025 recruiting class and the No. 91 prospect from the state of Florida. He is also ranked as the No. 669 overall prospect in the country.

The 6-foot, 205-pound athlete picked Illinois over offers from Florida State, Ole Miss, Miami (Florida), Louisville, Indiana and Mississippi State, among others.

Jershaun Newton stats

Newton completed 65% of his passes last year as a junior, throwing 2,084 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions for Clearwater Central Catholic in Clearwater, Florida. He also added 1,020 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Newton also played outside linebacker on defense, totaling six tackles and four tackles for loss.

What position will Jershaun Newton play at Illinois?

According to 247Sports Illiniois affiliate Illini Inquirer , Newton will play quarterback for the Fighting Illinis when he arrives in Champaign–Urbana. Newton has led his high school to back-to-back state championship appearances.

"They were the right fit for me because I wanted to play quarterback," Newton told the Illini Inquirer. "That was the dream. It's a dream come true to play quarterback at the next level. That's why it's a great fit. I was already used to the atmosphere. It was just a good fit."

Newton is the 13th commitment for the Fighting Illini in the 2025 recruiting class, which ranks 53rd in the nation per 247Sports. Newton is the second QB committed to the class, joining three-star QB Carson Boyd. It's the first time Illinois has signed two or more players at the position in the same class since 2018 under Lovie Smith.

Is Jershaun Newton related to Jer'Zhan Newton?

Newton will join Illinois one season after his elder brother Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton played himself into being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The elder Newton was chosen by the Commanders with the 36th overall pick in April. Jer'Zhan Newton had had 52 tackles and 7.5 sacks for the Illini as a senior.

"He said that he likes it because he said I can continue the legacy, the Jer'Legacy," Jershaun told the Inquirer. "It means a lot because I can prove that I'm better than him."

The elder Newton praised his brother after his commitment on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Jershaun Newton commits to Illinois football: 3-star ATH following brother Jer'Zhan Newton