Former Illini Jer’Zhan Newton goes off for multiple sacks on Christmas day

Jer’Zhan Newton was the 36th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He played 16 games in his rookie season for the Washington Commanders and tallied 44 tackles and 2 sacks. This year, Newton has been in and out of the lineup for what has been a disappointing Commanders squad riddled with injuries. He had the best game of his young NFL career on Christmas Day vs the Dallas Cowboys.  Though his team lost 30-23, Jer’Zhan Newton finished the game with 9 tackles and 3 sacks.

In this game alone, Newton recorded more sacks than he has totalled during the 2025 season. With just one more game left in the season, hopefully Newton can use this game as a springboard towards a breakout third season.

The Commanders are an interesting squad, however, since they have former Illini players Quan Martin and Nick Allegretti playing meaningful snaps as well. Allegretti filled in for the starting center position as Tyler Biadasz went down with an injury, while Martin has been a consistent starter since he first started in the league.

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