ESPN is reporting that Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft after leading Auburn to a national championship. Auburn released a statement Thursday night announcing the quarterback's decision following his only year as a major college starter. Newton led the Tigers to their first national title since 1957 and a 14-0 season with a 22-19 victory over Oregon on Monday night.
He was under fire for most of the season for a pay-for-play scandal involving his father that played out in the media. The former backup to Tim Tebow (remember him?) at Florida arrived after leading Blinn College in Texas to a junior college national championship and won on a much bigger stage with the Tigers. According to the Associated Press, Newton stated, "This decision was difficult for me and my family," adding that he made it after talking to coach Gene Chizik and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. "It's been a blessing for me to be a part of something so great," he said. "Any time you win games, it's a big deal, but for this school to win a BCS national championship, what a way to make people happy. Auburn is a special place that I can call home." Translation: See ya!
Even though Newton is a beast on the field, he has only really been tested at the college level as a starter for one season. So the real question is, can Newton deliver in the NFL or will he disappear like his much overhyped former teammate Tim Tebow?
Read more at ESPN.
In other news: Hall of Fame Linebacker Lawrence Taylor Takes a Hit Off the Field.