Jamie Newman
Jamie Newman (born December 1, 1997) is an American former professional football quarterback known for his standout college performance at Wake Forest University.[1] Newman, a native of Graham, North Carolina, began his college career at Wake Forest in 2016, redshirting his freshman year before emerging as a dual-threat signal-caller.[1][2][3] In 2019, as a redshirt junior, he started all 12 games for the Demon Deacons, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in several categories, including second in total offense per game (286.8 yards) and fifth in passing yards (2,868), while setting school records for career total offense yards per play (6.37) and passing efficiency (142.7).[3] He threw for 2,868 yards and 26 touchdowns that season, adding 574 rushing yards and six scores, helping Wake Forest achieve a 8-5 record and a bowl appearance.[3][4] Following the 2019 campaign, Newman transferred to the University of Georgia for the 2020 season but opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forgoing on-field participation to prepare for the NFL Draft.[2][5] Entering the 2021 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback went undrafted but signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent time on the practice squad before being waived in June 2021.[4][6] Newman briefly pursued opportunities in the Canadian Football League (CFL), signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in February 2022 and appearing in games during the 2022 season, where he completed 16 of 27 passes for 175 yards.[7][8][9] Despite high pre-draft expectations as a potential first-round talent after his 2019 breakout, Newman's professional career was limited, with no NFL regular-season appearances, marking a transition from college stardom to brief pro stints. Since 2024, Newman has worked as a quarterback trainer and developer.[4][6][10]Early life
High school career
Jamie Newman was born on December 1, 1997, in Graham, North Carolina, where he attended Graham High School.[3] Newman was a four-year starting quarterback for the Graham Red Devils. He also served as team captain at Graham High School.[3] As a senior in 2015, he earned All-Conference honors and was selected to the Burlington Times-News All-Region team for the third consecutive year.[3][11]Recruitment and commitment
Newman emerged as a sought-after quarterback prospect from Graham High School in North Carolina, earning a three-star rating from major scouting services. According to the 247Sports Composite, he ranked as the No. 17 dual-threat quarterback nationally and No. 30 overall player in North Carolina for the class of 2016.[12] His recruiting profile highlighted his arm strength and mobility, drawing attention from programs across the country. He received scholarship offers from 22 schools, including several Atlantic Coast Conference programs such as Duke, NC State, and Boston College, as well as Vanderbilt, West Virginia, East Carolina, Elon, and Syracuse.[13][14] In-state options like NC State and interest from North Carolina and Virginia Tech factored into his decision-making process, but Newman ultimately selected Wake Forest for its strong academic reputation and alignment with the football program's developmental approach.[14][15] On April 20, 2015, Newman announced his commitment to Wake Forest via Twitter, becoming the first commitment in the Demon Deacons' 2016 recruiting class.[14] To accelerate his integration into the college level, he graduated high school early and enrolled at Wake Forest in January 2016, allowing him to participate in spring practices ahead of his freshman season.[16]College career
Wake Forest
Newman arrived at Wake Forest as a true freshman in 2016 and redshirted the season, using the year to learn the offense while serving as the backup to starter John Wolford.[3][17] In 2017, Newman remained in a backup role behind Wolford, appearing in three games but attempting just four passes, completing two for eight yards with one interception.[17][18] Newman's opportunity came in 2018 when freshman starter Sam Hartman suffered a season-ending leg injury in early November, prompting coach Dave Clawson to name the redshirt sophomore Newman the starter for the remainder of the regular season and postseason.[19] Newman started the final six regular-season games, completing 84 of 141 passes for 1,083 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions, while adding 247 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 64 carries.[21] His dual-threat ability helped Wake Forest secure key upsets, including a 27-23 victory over No. 22 NC State on November 8, where he threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, capping the win with a 32-yard scoring pass to Jack Freudenthal with 30 seconds remaining.[22][23] Newman also led the Demon Deacons to a 37-34 comeback win over Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl, earning MVP honors with 328 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 49 rushing yards.[24] Newman earned the full-time starting role in 2019, appearing in all 12 games and solidifying his status as one of the ACC's top quarterbacks. He completed 220 of 361 passes for 2,868 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 574 yards and six touchdowns, amassing 3,442 yards of total offense.[3][17] His 26 passing touchdowns set a Wake Forest single-season record, surpassing the previous mark of 24 held by Riley Skinner from 2008.[3] Newman ranked second in the ACC in total offense at 286.8 yards per game and fifth in passing yards per game at 239.0, earning recognition as a finalist for ACC Player of the Year with one vote in the league's balloting.[25][3] His performance elevated Wake Forest to an 8-5 record, including a berth in the Pinstripe Bowl, where he threw three touchdown passes despite a 27-21 loss to Michigan State.[26][27]Transfer to Georgia
Following a breakout 2019 season at Wake Forest, where he threw for 2,868 yards and 26 touchdowns while adding 574 rushing yards and six scores, quarterback Jamie Newman declared his intention to transfer as a graduate student on December 31, 2019.[28][29] The move came amid Newman's desire to compete on a larger stage in the SEC and further prepare for an NFL career, capitalizing on his dual-threat abilities after leading the Demon Deacons to an 8-5 record.[30][31] Newman quickly entered the NCAA transfer portal and emerged as one of its top targets, ranked as the No. 3 returning quarterback for the 2020 season by Pro Football Focus due to his arm strength, mobility, and production.[32] He considered programs including Maryland, Miami, Oregon, and Washington before committing to the Georgia Bulldogs on January 11, 2020, via a social media announcement, allowing him immediate eligibility as a graduate transfer for the 2020 campaign.[33][32] The commitment occurred just days after incumbent starter Jake Fromm declared for the NFL Draft, positioning Newman as a key addition to the quarterback room.[33] Georgia head coach Kirby Smart welcomed Newman, stating, "We are excited to welcome Jamie to our program. He is a talented quarterback who has shown the ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. Jamie will provide great competition at the quarterback position."[33] The addition generated significant excitement, with Newman projected as a potential starter and his move to a high-profile program expected to elevate his NFL draft stock, where pre-transfer mock drafts had pegged him as a possible first-round selection based on his 2019 performance.[34][32]Opt-out and draft implications
On September 2, 2020, Jamie Newman announced his decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season at Georgia, citing health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.[35] As a result, he did not play a single snap for the Bulldogs during his lone season of eligibility there.[36] Newman's choice followed extensive prayer and discussions with his family, reflecting broader concerns about player safety amid the global health crisis.[37] This opt-out occurred during a period of widespread player withdrawals across college football, with hundreds of athletes across programs citing similar pandemic-related risks to their well-being and future careers.[38] Prior to the announcement, Newman was viewed as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft, with projections placing him as a potential first-round selection due to his strong arm, athletic mobility, and standout 2019 performance at Wake Forest, where he threw for 2,868 yards and 26 touchdowns.[39] ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. described him as having the attributes for "second-tier or maybe even first-tier" status among quarterbacks had he played in 2020.[39] The absence of 2020 game footage, however, fueled significant doubts among NFL scouts regarding Newman's current readiness, mechanics refinement, and ability to transition to a pro-style offense without recent high-level exposure.[40] His draft stock subsequently declined to mid-to-late Day 2 or Day 3 projections, positioning him as a developmental gamble rather than an early selection.[41] Newman participated in the 2021 Senior Bowl to showcase his skills, but reports noted rustiness after nearly two years without competitive play, further impacting evaluations.[42] As a senior-eligible graduate transfer, Newman declared for the 2021 NFL Draft but ultimately went undrafted following the conclusion of all seven rounds on May 1, 2021.[43] This outcome marked a sharp contrast to his pre-transfer hype, underscoring how the opt-out amplified uncertainties in an already unpredictable draft class affected by the pandemic.[44]College statistics
Jamie Newman's college career statistics reflect his development as a dual-threat quarterback, primarily at Wake Forest, where he appeared in 21 games over three seasons before transferring to Georgia without playing in 2020. Across his career, he completed 306 of 506 passes for 3,959 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 139.7. He also rushed 245 times for 826 yards and 10 touchdowns, contributing to a career total offense of 4,785 yards.[17] The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of his passing and rushing statistics:| Year | School | GP | Passing Cmp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating | Rushing Att | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Wake Forest | 3 | 2/4 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 16.8 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2018 | Wake Forest | 6 | 84/141 | 1,083 | 9 | 4 | 139.5 | 64 | 247 | 4 |
| 2019 | Wake Forest | 12 | 220/361 | 2,868 | 26 | 11 | 145.3 | 180 | 574 | 6 |
| 2020 | Georgia | 0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | - | 21 | 306/506 | 3,959 | 35 | 16 | 139.7 | 245 | 826 | 10 |