Jer'Zhan Newton had to wait an extra day to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft but eventually went to the Washington Commanders with the 36th overall pick.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
April 26, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Jer'Zhan Newton will begin his professional football career in the nation’s capital.
The Illinois defensive lineman was selected Friday night in the second round with the 36th overall pick. Newton’s pick means the Washington Commanders have taken Illini players in back-to-back years of the second round after they selected defensive back Jartavius ‘Quan’ Martin with the 47th overall pick in the 2023 National Football League Draft.
Newton was hopeful of being selected in the first round Thursday, which would’ve produced back-to-back years with a first round pick for the Illini program for the first time since Corey Liuget was taken No. 18 overall in 2011 and that was followed by Whitney Mercilus going 26th overall along with A.J. Jenkins being selected 30th overall in 2012. Devon Witherspoon was selected No. 5 overall by the Seattle Seahawks last April and used his first professional season to be the last Illinois alum to be named to the Pro Bowl in their rookie campaign since Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Dick Butkus. In 13 games played, Witherspoon has recorded 68 tackles, 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown. Witherspoon rotated between playing nickel cornerback and on the boundary but still managed to lead all rookies in passes defensed with 16, good enough for fifth in the league.
