A rising Class of 2027 player is grateful for his opportunity to play in Champaign.
The Illinois Fighting Illini football program has become a destination for prospects across the Midwest and coach Bret Bielema has been hard at work on the recruiting trail finding players to fit his schemes.
Among them is Class of 2027 tight end Cade Newman, a 6-foot-5, 220 pound tight end from Ankeny, Iowa who might be the biggest sleeper in the Illini's 2027 recruiting class.
Newman sat down for an interview recently with Armchair Illini, during which he shared what he sincerely loves about the Illini coaching staff, a feeling that spurred him to pledge his commitment to Bielema's program.
Newman Takes Liking to New Illinois Coach
Newman said that he has taken a special liking to new Illinois tight ends coach Jared Elliot as Elliot prepares to make his mark in Champaign.
"This is what I really loved about Illinois, I know coach (Jared) Elliot is going to develop me in every single way and I know it was my first year of playing tight end (last year), I was playing QB up until now," Newman said to interviewer Austin Burklund of Armchair Illini.
"So I'm ready to learn about the position, I watched a bunch of film already so I'm super stoked," the Illini pledge said.
'100% on Every Play'
Newman also spoke about his work ethic which has drawn rave reviews.
He said he learned his work ethic on the field from his dad and strives to make him proud each Friday.
"I am super high effort, it comes from my dad, it's 100% effort every single play," he said. "I think there's some clips on my film that you see that on where I'm running down the field blocking the backside safety because that's a touchdown block," Newman said.
"I'm willing to do the little things no matter what, to finish blocks, I'm also able to go up and catch the ball really well, I think that's one of the biggest strengths of my game," he added.
Newman's Path to the Big Ten
Newman is looking forward to playing in the conference whose teams won the last three College Football Playoffs: the Big Ten.
Newman worked his way up and gained traction in workouts, drawing a Fighting Illini offer.
"Yeah so early on it was really the FCS schools, then my junior season started picking up, then the G5 (Group of Five) then once those schools started working me out that's when the Power 4 really started to gain interest," Newman said.
"Like Iowa State, Illinois and Wake Forest, those were the Power 4s that offered me, it's been a crazy process," he said.
Newman Grateful as Senior Season Approaches
Newman remains grateful headed into his last season and school year as a high school prospect and is not afraid to talk about it.
He is still a relative newcomer at the tight end position but it seems tailor made for his combination of size, toughness, blocking and receiving skills.
The Illini may have found themselves a diamond in the rough, and his "rough" background could ultimately be what propels Newman to stardom.
"You know I'm super grateful for this opportunity, I worked my butt off to get where I am and I'm just super grateful for my opportunity to play in the best conference there is," Newman said.
