ATHENS, Ga. – Georgia has a stout collection of tight ends with Orson Charles, Aron White and Bruce Figgins, but what if Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton were on that list as well?
Bulldogs coach Mark Richt admitted Tuesday that they looked at Newton when he played for Westlake High in Atlanta, but only as a tight end. Newton was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 28 overall prospect and the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback (behind Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor) in the 2007 signing class.
Newton signed with Florida and backed up Tim Tebow in ’07 before redshirting in ’08 and playing last season at Blinn College in Texas.
“A lot of it had to do with what we like to do offensively – more of a fit than any type of disrespect to his ability to play quarterback,” Richt said. “He’s proven to be pretty darn good.”
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Newton leads the nation with 35 touchdowns, which he has attained through 19 passes, 15 rushes and one reception. There are 71 FBS teams that don’t have 35 touchdowns.