Rivals100 DE has three favorites

Kyle Newell is an athletic, talented defensive end/tight end from Bethlehem (Pa.) Catholic. After earning all-area, all-region and all-state honors after posting 80 tackles and five sacks as a junior, Newell was recently named the No. 59 player overall by Rivals.com. With dozens of offers from major college programs, where does Newell want to play next year?

“I don’t have any real favorites, because I haven’t had a chance to go on many trips yet," said the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder. "But there are definitely some schools that are making a good impression on me.”

For example?

“Virginia has a great school and a good program overall. They are recruiting me the hardest as well. They send me a ton of mail, mainly stuff about their campus. It looks really nice.

“Penn state has amazing tradition, and their camp was great. Pitt has very good tradition and I like where their program is headed.”

Newell also lists Maryland, Michigan State, NC State, Tennessee and West Virginia as schools of interest. He wants to take all five official visits, but that’s about all he has decided so far. He also said that those visits will be crucial in determining where he wants to go to school.

“When I go, the main thing for me will be the feel I get from the school and how much I like it.”

Newell has very impressive athletic ability for someone of his size. Therefore, schools are recruiting him for a number of positions. Tight end and defensive end are the two main ones, but others want him for linebacker and even wide receiver.

Newell prefers playing linebacker, although it won’t be a major factor in his decision.