Kevin Newsome To Be Back In The Game At Temple

by Andy Hilton, recruit757

Temple’s successful recruitment of Phoebus wide receiver Romond Deloatch grabbed some attention, but one signing day announcement that went virtually unnoticed was the Owl’s successful recruitment of ex-Western Branch and ex-Penn State quarterback Kevin Newsome. After leaving the game in 2011, Newsome will be back in 2012 as a quarterback for coach Steve Addazio and Temple.

Temple experienced a resurgence last year as they finished 9-4 and topped Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl. Former University of Florida Assistant Addazio energized the program in his first year as head coach.

For Newsome, 2011 was perhaps the lowest of his football career. He left Western Branch a year early and prepped at Hargrave Military Academy for what looked to be a stellar college career at Penn State. In his freshman season, Newsome played in ten games and got valuable experience as he was set to take over the starting job in his sophomore season. In 2010, he was surpassed on the depth chart and ended up playing in only six games, posting a paltry 78 yards passing on six completions in 13 attempts.

The 2010 performance and the lack of promise for the future lead him to leave the Penn State program without a specific plan to transfer. Newsome sat out the 2011 season, took classes at TCC, worked a retail job, and considered a return to Hampton University or the University of Richmond, where younger brother Keevon found a home after his own tumultuous recruitment.

Temple offered him the opportunity to return to the gridiron and play at the Division I FBS level. Oddly enough, the Owls travel to Happy Valley to face the Nittany Lions this fall on September 22, just a few games into the season. Newsome will still have to fight for playing time, but the opportunity to play college football again will be welcomed.

- Andy Hilton