Joe Newton attended Roseburg High School in Roseburg, Oregon where he was a three-sport athlete as a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. As a senior, Newton won the discus 4A state championship. He was an all-league basketball player with an average of 18 points per game. He played tight end and defensive tackle on the football team. As a senior he caught 21 passes for 298 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was named conference defensive player of the year for his play at defensive tackle. He finished his career with 68 receptions for 1,019 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was considered to be one of the top 10 tight end prospects in the nation and his Roseburg jersey was later retired. Newton accepted a scholarship to Oregon State where he sat out the 2002 season as a redshirt. He saw action in all 13 games the following season, catching 13 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. His sophomore season would be a breakout year for Newton. He started 10 games missing one with a separated shoulder and set career highs in receptions (56), yards (687), and touchdowns (7). He was named player of the game following his 7/85 2 TD performance in the insight bowl. He was named second-team all-PAC Ten at the conclusion of the season. Newton suffered a setback the August before his junior season when he tore a muscle in his left leg in practice, effectively ending his season before it even started. He would spend his junior year in rehab and return healthy for his senior season.

Joe Newton has been the starting tight end at Oregon State for two of the past three seasons, missing the 2005 campaign due to injury. Joe is an extremely hard worker and a person of high character. He has a great combination of size and athleticism for a tight end. He runs good routes and has excellent hands. His combination of height, long arms, and leaping ability make him a very difficult player to defend in the redzone. Once he has the ball in his hands, Newton usually won’t get many yards after the catch. He lacks great speed and doesn’t make many plays down the field. While his height makes him a great receiving threat, it works against him in the running game. He isn’t very strong at the point of attack and he has a difficult time getting leverage on his opponents due to his height. He would benefit from adding some bulk and increasing his strength and he does have the frame in which to do so. Durability could also be a cause for concern with Newton. Though he only missed one game as a result, Newton separated his shoulder in 2004 and missed the entire 2005 season with a torn muscle in his leg. Joe Newton is a fine prospect who could become a complete tight end if he can improve his blocking. He should be a first day pick in the 2007 NFL draft.