West Orange transfer Newsome gets 1st offer, from Troy

Defensive back Tony Newsome finally put a check mark in his college scholarship offer box at the end of February. Newsome, who transferred from Wekiva to West Orange during the semester break, received his first offer from Troy and he was excited to finally hear the words.

“I was just happy because it came out of nowhere. They texted my phone and then called me and told me they were offering me,” Newsome said of Troy defensive coordinator and safeties coach Brandon Hall.

The 6-foot, 170-pound Newsome had five interceptions last season at Wekiva, yet no one pulled the trigger on a scholarship offer.

“It was long awaited,” Newsome said. “I just hope I can get more. I was a little bit surprised [to have no offers] because I knew my film was worthy, but I knew I was smaller than what I am now, so I just had to get bigger.”

Newsome transferred to West Orange with wide receiver and fellow Wekiva teammate Asaad Waseem, giving the Warriors an even more formidable arsenal for the 2021 season. West Orange should be one of the teams to beat in Class 8A in Orlando, including Dr. Phillips, Apopka, Boone, Winter Park and Timber Creek.

“It’s good. I’m really liking the school and all the coaches and they really like me too,” Newsome said.

Newsome said his best qualities are effort and dedication.

“Every rep, I’m going to go full speed,” he said. “I’m also good at covering and I feel like they’re recruiting me as a safety, but once they see me play, I feel like they’ll want me to play corner. Toward the end of the season last year, they switched me to corner and I caught some interceptions.”

One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown during a Wekiva playoff game.

Newsome can’t wait to visit some college campuses once the NCAA lifts the current year-long dead period on recruiting visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It hurts, but once I show them film from a game, I should be OK,” Newsome said. “I don’t want to put the blame on COVID, but I do feel like COVID has slowed down the recruiting process a lot.”

CHRIS HAYS/ORLANDO SENTINEL Safety Tony Newsome, who has transferred from Wekiva to West Orange, received his first college football scholarship offer from Troy. He’s pictured with his Certified Dawgs 7-on-7 team.