Langston Newton, Morgans brother, commits to UK
Indiana defensive end Langston Newton, a brother of University of Kentucky quarterback Morgan Newton, announced on Thursday that he's committed to play football for the Wildcats - the fourth player to join UK's 2012 recruiting class this week.
Langston Newton is a 6-foot-5, 240-pound player for Carmel High School, where his brother was a star and the 2008 Indiana Mr. Football.
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Langston Newton, UK's 17th commitment for 2012, announced his choice on his Twitter page. He chose the Cats over offers from Indiana, Purdue and eight non-BCS league schools.
He also camped at and received recruiting interest from Notre Dame and LSU.
One of the nation's best shot putters and discus throwers for his age, Newton is expected to also join UK's track and field team. Ohio State had offered him a full scholarship to be a track-only athlete, and LSU and Illinois were interested in him for track.
On the football field, Newton is known for his pass-rushing and ability to get in the backfield. He played defensive tackle last season in high school but projects as an in college. He is ranked the No. 14 senior prospect in Indiana.
UK linebackers coach Chuck Smith is the Cats' lead recruiter for Newton, and Newton has cited the long relationship his family has had with Smith and UK's coaches, dating to Morgan's recruitment, as a reason he was interested in the Cats.
Langston Newton has been to Lexington many times to watch his brother's games and practices or attend UK recruiting events and camps, and he received a scholarship from the Cats in June.
He made an unofficial visit to UK a couple weeks ago to meet with UK's football and track coaches and academic advisers.
Morgan Newton is a junior, so the brothers should have one season together as teammates.
Newton is the latest commitment in a UK recruiting class that's filling up quickly.
Jeffersontown defensive end Daniel Ross, South Carolina offensive lineman T.J. Jones and Tennessee punter Landon Foster committed to UK on Tuesday.