Eli Newby has ‘unbeatable’ opportunity on and off the field at USC
CHESHIRE, Conn. (BVM) – Eli Newby grew up on a little bit of everything, playing basketball and karate, but when he signed up for football at the age of 12, something just felt different about it.
Newby was a natural, scoring 16 touchdowns in his first season.
“That definitely grew my confidence in the game of football and my love for the game,” Newby said.
This was a sneak peek at what his future may look like.
Now a rising senior at Cheshire Academy, Newby is one of the best players in the state of Connecticut and is ranked as the No. 237 player in the country according to 247 Sports.
As Newby progressed through his high school career, he started to realize that he could have a shot at doing something with the sport.
“Every game, there is pretty much a (college) coach there,” Newby said. “They would show me the potential I had by watching my film after the season and I was like, ‘Alright, I really might have a place in all of this.”
The star linebacker announced his commitment to USC on June 9.
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“When I got to USC, it was just a loving energy between all of the players, coaches and staff members,” Newby said. “But the real factor, was I thought to myself, ‘If the game of football was never invented, I can definitely see myself at that school.’ With the opportunity on and off the field, it is unbeatable.”
Newby’s status as a recruit to a big-time program can sometimes get to the head of someone his age, but he makes a concerted effort to keep his feet on the ground and to just enjoy the ride he is on.
“I try to stay humble as much as I can,” Newby said. “If you ask any of my friends, I rarely talk about my offers. I’m very proud and grateful for them, but I’m not the type of person to sit there and endlessly talk about it.”
The type of success Newby has had is not by accident. It is something he has worked and strived for over the course of several years, making the results that much sweeter.
“I would say my biggest accomplishment is being proud of everything I’ve done leading up to this point,” Newby said. I’m proud of everything I do every day.”
The people who are even prouder of Eli are the ones around him, who he wants to provide security regardless of what happens with his football career.
“I just want to make sure myself and my family are taken care of regardless of what I have to do,” Newby said. “I just want to make sure they’re sturdy.”