Newton is all Gator
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- Florida quarterback commit Cameron Newton of Atlanta Westlake reiterated Saturday that he plans to sign with the Gators on National Signing Day regardless of the presence of five-star prospect John Brantley in the UF recruiting class.
"I am a Gator all the way," he said. "I committed early in the season and ever since then, the Gators have been progressing and ever since then, people have been jumping on board. I mean, who wouldn't want to jump on the bandwagon? You'll get commits from here, there and everywhere.
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"It's a great deal just being a Florida Gator."
The 6-foot-5 Newton expressed excitement about heading to Gainesville with Brantley and junior college prospect Bryan Waggener.
"It's going to be fun," he said. "Especially getting taught by a Dan Mullen and learning under a Tim Tebow. Certainly, John Brantley coming in will be an excellent challenge for me. It's going to make me a better athlete, better person and a better quarterback.
"I'm ecstatic about that."
Newton was enjoying the Florida weather upon checking in to begin preparations for the inaugural Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday and will be televised live by ESPNU. Rivals.com is the official selection partner for the game.
"It's been a fun transition to come from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale," Newton said. "It's kind of cold in Atlanta, but it's humid here in Fort Lauderdale."
Newton, along with Rivals100 prospect Stephen Garcia, will be the only two quarterbacks on the East squad after four-star prospect Robert Marve of Tampa Plant withdrew from the game on Saturday.
"My goals are just to have fun, play my game and play with the best of the best," Newton said. "Any time you get to play with some of the best in the country, you can learn more, so I just want to go out and have fun and do my best."
Newton is the nation's sixth-ranked dual-threat quarterback prospect according to Rivals.com.