Maumelle (Arkansas) defensive back Elijah Newell aiming to prove himself at Texas - San Antonio

Newell committed to the Roadrunners on Dec. 12

Maumelle defensive back Elijah Newell wanted a full scholarship opportunity to play at the Division I level and he received it from the University of Texas – San Antonio on Dec. 3. 

Nine days later, Newell returned the favor and gave his commitment to the Roadrunners. 

Newell signed his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, but will not have the ceremony until the February signing period.

Despite a very strong senior season in which he helped Maumelle earn a 5A playoff berth, Newell (5-11, 185) only owns in-state offers from 2023 Division II National Champion Harding and Hendrix College, to go with UTSA. His relationship with the Roadrunners' program was formed about midway through this past season. 

"(Defensive analyst) Coach (Malik) Walker hit me up because I had a really good game, and he saw the film," Newell said. "He wanted to exchange contact information, so I gave him my number and we have just been talking since.

"After the season I sent him my senior film and he wanted me to meet (defensive coordinator and safeties) Coach (Jess) Loepp. Coach Loepp came to my basketball game and invited me for an official visit."

Known by some as the 'Charles Woodson of Arkansas' due to his ability to play all three phases of the game at a high level, Newell is a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball. On offense, the all-state performer hauled in 44 catches for 617 yards and 7 touchdowns, along with 300 yards and 5 touchdowns on 38 carries, plus 700 return yards on special teams. 

Defense is where Newell will make his mark as he was rather quietly one of the state's most dominant players on that side of the ball regardless of classification. Along with 60 total tackles, including 9 for loss and 2 sacks, Newell forced two fumbles and recovered another, while intercepting nine passes. He returned three of those for touchdowns and had three picks in one game two times. 

"Elijah has so much ability to impact the game," Maumelle head coach Brian Maupin said. "He recorded every defensive stat possible."

Maupin is a a coach who believes in playing his kids both ways so they have the best opportunities to showcase their abilities, but as far as his position at the next level Maupin will leave that to Newell's next coaching staff.

"I tell all of the coaches who ask me whether he is a slot (receiver), cornerback, safety," Maupin said. "I just always say that is for them to decide, I let him play them all so that is not a problem I have had to worry about."

It does not make much of a difference to Newell where he plays, so long as it is the right fit and he earns his education.

"Really, I just wanted to go to college, so wherever they put me at that is where I will play," Newell said. 

Maupin coached multiple Division I athletes while serving as defensive coordinator at Joe T. Robinson, such as current Arkansas Razorbacks E'Marion Harris and Zach Williams. Former Senators Nathan Page and Koilan Jackson, who are coincidentally on Maupin's staff with the Hornets, are two Maupin likens Newell to in terms of being able to change a game in more than one way.

"That is one of the few benefits of becoming an older coach is seeing my guys that I coached come back and coach with me," Maupin said. "They are seeing kids the way that I saw them and it makes it all more special." 

(Cover photo by Nick Wenger)

– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR