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Donavin Newsom
6'2, 230, So.
2013: 4.5 tackles
Bill C.: Donavin Newsom is this year's Kentrell Brothers, an electric special teams player as a redshirt freshman who moves to a potential role in the starting lineup as a sophomore. You know that when Gary Pinkel breaks out the Sean Weatherspoon comparisons ('Spoon was another special teamer as a freshman and starter as a sophomore), he's pretty excited about a guy's potential, and Newsom seems to have a world of that. The biggest question for him is whether or not he can stay healthy. He has been nagged by injuries here and there, both near the end of his high school career and thus far at Mizzou. All the potential in the world doesn't matter if you're only playing half the season. But if the injuries have been more coincidence than harbinger, good things are in store for this guy.
In losing Andrew Wilson and Donovan Bonner and potentially replacing them with sophomores (Newsom and Mike Scherer), Mizzou is going from seasoned to raw at linebacker. But we've heard so much about the potential of so many guys in this unit -- these two, Eric Beisel, Joey Burkett, Brandon Lee, etc. -- that it's hard to worry too much. Maybe they'll give us reason to worry; for now, it's hard to be too concerned.
countrycal: Donavin is another sophomore who used spring practice to demonstrate he is ready to play SEC football. While he did not get a lot of playing time at linebacker last year, he did get into 10 games, mostly on special teams. He has already moved past junior Clarence Green and senior Darvin Ruise to take the top spot at strongside linebacker going into fall practice. Along with Brothers and Scherer, it appears Tiger linebacking may be already taking shape for the next two to three years.
The Beef: Of all the LB’s, I think I am the most excited for Newsom than of any others. Of course, and as Cal talked about, the idea of pairing him with Scherer and their perhaps representing the starters for the next three seasons is exciting, but I am most excited about the physical tools I believe Newsom brings to the table on the MIKE side. Though I will say, for as new as this group is with the questions they have, when you look at the ages here, this unit could be REALLY salty next season with the returners they will have.
wooderson: venison mad now, venom and winos