Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Netwon is a top defensive tackle prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Newton attended high school in St. Petersburg, Fla., and originally committed to the University of Maryland before flipping to the University of Illinois where he eventually became a consensus All-American.
As a true freshman in college, Newton played in all eight games, starting two of them, in the COVID-19 shortened season. He had 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his first year in college. In 2021, he started 11 of 12 games, recording 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Newton progressed every season throughout his collegiate career.
After a 2023 consensus All-American season, Newton declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. But behind every young, promising athlete is a great support staff. Let’s get to know Newton’s parents.
A Look At Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton’s Parents
Newton was born on Aug. 31, 2001, to Jervon (Von) Newton Sr. and Jovita Rich.
Jervon and Jovita made sure he was close with his brothers, who also play football. It’s a close-knit family brought together by football and competition.
Getting To Know Newton’s Father
While there isn’t too much public information on Jervon Newton Sr., we know that he played an instrumental role in Newton’s football career. He owned an automotive mechanic business, where Newton and his brothers would play football in the field that was behind the shop.
Jervon said he always wanted five sons so they’d always have each other to play with. However, he raised them all equally, whether that was finding them solid football coaches or teaching them skills around the shop. All of the brothers had football in common and would sometimes help their father around the shop.
There is not much public information available on Jovita Rich, who is the mother of Newton.
Does Newton Have Any Siblings?
As stated above, Newton is one of five brothers. All five brothers have a passion for football, with three of them playing in college, while the fourth is a star in high school.
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Older twins Jervon Jr. and Jerquan played at Division II Mars Hill in North Carolina and graduated after distinguished careers. His older brother Jerjuan was a wide receiver for the Toledo Rockets. The youngest brother, Jershaun, is a highly-rated quarterback in Florida who has college offers from several major programs.
Growing up, the brothers loved to compete. Whether it was playing football in the street, training on hot summer days, or throwing the ball around their dad’s shop, all five brothers, who were close in age, loved football.
“My dad raised us all to be close,” said Jerjuan, “When we were younger, we would always fight, and he would be like, ‘No fighting.’ Whenever my brothers and I would fight, we would get in trouble and then he would make us hug it out. He always taught us that brothers don’t fight, and now I’m big on that. I’m close with all my brothers. We all have that same bond with each other. I know I can call any one of my brothers at any time and they will be there.”
Added Newton, “We would play in the backyard, play tackle in the streets, play in the field by my dad’s mechanic shop. We always played to win. I think that’s where the competitive instinct was instilled in us. Iron sharpens iron, they say. We were really tough on each other. Emotions were high. There were fights. But in the end, we’re brothers, and 20 minutes later we would forget all about it.”