EUPORA – Eupora High School's Daulton Newman will put it all on the line once again in college.
After spending his high school career on the offensive line for the Eagles and coach Junior Graham, Newman will do the same for John Hopkins University.
Newman signed with John Hopkins Wednesday in the EHS library.
John Hopkins resides in Baltimore, Maryland and is well known for its academics and is Division III in football.
Although the distance from home is more than he likes, academics was the main draw for Newman who could not pass up the opportunity.
"That is going to be a little bit of a hinderance," Newman said of the distance from home. "I like being close to home, but that education, you just can't pass it up. I know that I am going to be able to make that transition. It's in Baltimore and it's 17 hours away or something like that and I believe that I am going to be able to do it. I am going to suffer four years if I have to because that education is quarter million dollars education."
Graham is excited for Newman and is glad he gets to go to a school with a good emphasis on academics.
"It is an exciting time," Graham said. "I have had a lot of kids sign over my 10 years coaching. It's rare when you have an opportunity to play at a place like John Hopkins. When you graduate, you have something extremely special. They play good football too, so that is good on both sides. Daulton, he's ready. This is really a by product of what he has put in, in the classroom and what he has done for us on the playing fields."
Newman was invited to attend junior day in the summer of 2011 and he liked what he saw from the school, coaching staff and players.
"It all started when I went up there the summer," Newman said. "After my junior year, I went to junior day. They invited me up there. I went on a tour and I got to talk to some players and met with the coaching staff. I just loved everything about the campus, about the coaching staff and about those players I saw. They were really good people and I really felt like I fit in."
Newman has played for Graham for four years and got playing time immediately. Graham knows that Newman can succeed at John Hopkins on the field.
"Daulton was thrown in the fire as a 9th grader due to an injury and he had to play," Graham said. "It has been a growing process. He has taken a lot of chewings, but he has a lot of pats on the back. We have had a chance to see him really grow as a football player and as a person."
Wednesday seemed surreal to Newman, who never dreamed of playing football at a four-year school, but is happy about the opportunity.
"I never did," Newman said of the thought of playing in college. "I always knew I wanted to play football. I never knew how far I would go though. I am just really happy that I got this and I am just thanking everybody around me, my coaches, my teammates and God most importantly. It's been quite a ride but I am glad it's come to this."
Newman was quick to point out how Graham set a good example for him and he is grateful for what he has done and giving him the ability to get this scholarship.
"Coach Graham has (been) a leader for me, and an example to always go by," Newman said. "He has always been there and every time I needed him, he has always been there. He has always helped me with football and everything else. I am really grateful to him. He has meant a lot to me."
Links:
[1] http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/sites/default/files/daulton signing.JPG
[2] mailto:sdnsports@bellsouth.net
