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Redshirt Junior and starting quarterback Jamie Newman has entered the transfer portal.
#GODSPLAN pic.twitter.com/iGtwmdnItl
— Jamie Newman (@jlmn12_) December 31, 2019
Newman finished the season completing 61% of his passes for 2,868 yards and 26 touchdowns and added 574 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Newman was clearly banged up towards the end of the season, which was likely the main reason why the Deacs lost 4 of their last 5 games.
Jamie Newman after the Pinstripe Bowl:
— Conor O'Neill (@ConorONeillWSJ) December 31, 2019
"I think it’s been pretty obvious I’ve been banged up pretty much all season, for the most part. I’ve just gotta fight, just gotta let my body heal up and learn from this year and take it into next year."
I’ll be honest, this is very shocking to me. I thought maybe Newman would see what his draft stock looked like and either enter the NFL draft or return to Wake Forest for his final season. I can only speculate as to what led to this decision, but my first couple of guesses would be that he didn’t like how much we were running him in the offense (causing him to be banged up all season) and/or he wants to play for a bigger name football school to help boost his draft stock a la Russell Wilson and Gardner Minshew II.
In any event, losing Newman is a set back, but the Deacs are still in good shape with Sam Hartman at quarterback. For his career, Hartman has complete 55% of his passes for 2,814 yards and 20 touchdowns. He helped the Deacs beat Florida State and almost completed unlikely comebacks against Louisville and Syracuse this season. Wake will also have Michael Kern, Tayvon Bowers, and 4-star prospect Mitch Griffis on the roster.
Thank you for a couple of exciting and memorable season Jamie, and good luck on the rest of your football career.