The Return of the Forgotten: North Dakota State COS (JUCO) Fr. DB Frank Newman (5-11, 206)

Wahpeton, ND – North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) Defensive Coordinator Eric Francis-Bey, who runs a 4-2-5 defense, is looking for playmakers to come in right away and contribute to a team hopeful of winning the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC).

This past season, Francis-Bey built a defense that was ranked No. 1 in the conference – breaking school records in the process. If the Wildcats are to once again be a dominant defensive squad, they’ll have to do without graduated standout defensive backs Joesph Putu (University of Florida) and Darren Kelly (North Dakota State) as well as linebacker Ejodamen Ejiya (North Texas). One of the players that Francis is counting on to step up in 2016 is defensive back Frank Newman. Expectations are high for Newman, a 5-foot-11, 206-pound former three-star prep recruit, coming out of Homestead High School.

Newman’s journey to Wahpeton, North Dakota has been an arduous one, though. During his two-year absence from the sport he’s played since a youth, Newman had a daughter and had to overcome the struggles of balancing fatherhood with chasing after his football dreams. Still, Newman has made the 2,029-mile journey from his home in the southern part of Miami-Dade County (Goulds, FL) with a renewed focus on academics and the hopes of graduating as a mid-year qualifier and signing to a Division-I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program.

The 21-year-old incoming freshman knows exactly how it feels to hit rock bottom, and overcome adversity and has a renew attitude on life, especially nearly not arriving to Whalpton this fall after escaping harms way, as multiple gun shots were fired – while attending a high school football game.

Coach Eric Francis-Bey is bringing in a perfect example, with Newman, why FBS, FCS and D2 football programs heavily recruit junior college prospects year in, year out. You're going to add maturity, leadership, someone who's hungry for success and someone who can make an immediately impact after experiencing hardships earlier on in life.

Newman’s 15 offers from the likes of Alabama, FSU, UM, UGA, Clemson, Louisville, Mississippi State, WVU, UCF, USF, Indiana, Temple, Boston College, Central Michigan as well as Hawaii – slowly but surely vanished throughout his senior season after a number of unsuccessful attempts on becoming a college qualifier.

After losing every single offer as a senior, the hurt would continued – as he would begin to lose people who he believed had his best interest in life, vanished just as quickly as his college football offers. Over a period of time, the former Miami-Dade vs. Team Florida All-Star Game, Defensive MVP (12 tackles, 2 sacks & 1 pass deflection) avoided watching, talking or even thinking about football. What made him return?

One particular day, his daughter, Jordyn Newman, 3-years-old at the time, expressed she wanted to play football just like him. Newman never once did any football related activities with his daughter, which had him speechless.

"She would always want to play football and would say, I tackle just like you daddy. I'm not sure if that was a sign from god, but she inspired and motivated me to return" said Newman.

Newman would shortly afterwards reach out to a familiar face, now a youth and prep analyst Jerry Williamson who dates back remembering Newman as an eight-grade varsity starter on defense, who started alongside his younger brother and the rest is history.

LEADERSHIP

Newman arrived to Whalpton campus and immediately made an impact by introducing himself without being asked to in front of the entire football team and winning over his teammates and coaches. His professors also spoke highly of him as well.

NDSCS'S DC ERIC FRANCIS-BEY SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON NEWMAN'S FIRST PRACTICE

Here's what NDSCS defensive coordinator Eric Francis-Bey, had to say about Newman first day of practice.

"He's a man child as I expected he is strong and smart. Jammed the heck out of a slot today and sat him down and smacked one of the running backs pretty good." said Francis-Bey.

ACADEMICS

Newman is academically a head of the game his second time around, arriving to Whalpton as a business administration student with 13 college credits. Newman is currently enrolled in two separate eight-week terms this fall. The first eight weeks (16 credits) and the second eight weeks (10 credits) which will equal 39 credits total at the end of fall when you add his 13 credits from arrival. Newman is on track to obtain his Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration this upcoming summer and without question will fulfill his goal of becoming mid-year qualifier and the next goal is graduating making the Dean's list.

"The only few people that really step out of their way to help me get where I am today was Miami Edison Defensive Coordinator Jon Drummond & Jerry Williamson. A lot of coaches from my previous years was only interested when they found out, I was going the junior route & it hurts that they praised athletes who get in trouble in college, but hated me for doing what was best and taking care of my daughter. But I've realized everyone not going to want to see better for you or take the time to help you. But I'm glad I have those few helpers in my life." said Newman

Newman has displayed the athleticism, strength and football IQ – that has the program extremely excited. The combination of Frank Newman (5-11, 206) and Alex Jasmin (6-2, 185) could arguably be one of the top defensive back and cornerback tandems in junior college.

Twitter Account: @FrankNewmanlll8