<div id="article_deck" class="deck_copy"> The entire offseason for Mississippi State has been centered around improving the offense. Finding a way to put more points on the scoreboard. One way to do that is to sign a "big time" quarterback. Today, Bulldawg Junction caught up with Morgan Newton to determine his interest in coming to Starkville. </div> <div id="article_body" class="body_copy"> Last season as a junior, quarterback Morgan Newton helped lead Carmel (Ind.) High School to the Indiana Class 5A state title with his strong arm and running ability.
But he also excelled under center due to playing on the other side of the football.
Newton is ranked as one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation, and as expected, as already compiled an impressive list of scholarship offers.
"Quarterback is what I do but I played some safety last year to help out," said Newton, who picked off three passes last year. "And it helped me a lot because I know what other quarterbacks are keying on since I play there, too. One of the first things quarterbacks read is the free safety and when I am there, I am usually thinking the same thing they are. It helps me to anticipate routes and move and react better, just knowing what quarterbacks like to do."
This past season, Newton completed 124-of-213 for 1,883 yards with 25 touchdown tosses and threw just seven interceptions. Newton was also productive in the ground game, collecting 750 rushing yards with 11 more touchdowns.
Newton contributes to Carmel High School on the basketball hardwood, too. Newton played guard and some small forward last season for Carmel, who reached the regional finals.
But the gridiron is where Newton is drawing the most interest.
The 6-foot-3 and 210-pound Newton said he has no favorites right now and currently holds offers from the likes of South Carolina, Clemson, Penn State, Illinois, Kentucky and Mississippi State among others.
Newton was also told by Florida coaches that he would have an offer when he came for his official visit.
However, Newton is considering much more than the athletics side of college.
Newton wants to major in pre-med or business and is just as successful in the class room, noted by his ACT score of 23 made during his eighth-grade school year.
"I really look at academics and the educational standpoint because that is important," said Newton. "Then getting to know the coaching staff is important and having the ability to play at the next level. What is also important to me is what my family wants and what would be best for them, too."
While his list of college offers spread out all across the country, playing in a certain area of the country is not a concern.
"Location does not bother me at all," said Newton. "I just want to find the right fit for me."
Newton's family has a connection with Mississippi State.
Newton's father, a former Grambling State fullback, played five years with former Grambling great and NFL quarterback Doug Williams and they have been long-time friends. And MSU head coach Sylvester Croom also has a good friendship with Williams and has gotten to know the Newton family.
"Coach Croom called me and he knows one of my dad's good friends, Doug Williams," noted Newton. "Coach Croom said they watched my tape and that I could help them out in the future. That definitely sparked my interest with it being the SEC because that is the best football in the country."
At Carmel High School, Newton spends much of the time in the shotgun formation. But he noted that his prep offense runs out of some similiar formations as the Bulldogs.
"I haven't done much research of MSU's offense," said Newton. "But I know they run a lot of pro-style formations, somewhat like what we do in high school. We run a lot of things out of the shotgun. I feel if I went to Mississippi State that I would just see an extention of our high school offense, just with more verbage and a few more looks and formations."
Newton plans to spend is summer "doing some football and basketball stuff", as well as looking deeper into his college choices.
Newton wants to make sure he is comfortable with his decision before making anything final. Once he gives his commitment, that will be it for his recruitment.
"I don't want to commit somewhere and then have to de-commit later because I didn't look at everything," said Newton. "I don't think that is the fair thing to do. I am just going to find out what school is the best for me and them commit one time and be finished with it." </div>
