Mack setting bar high in trying to emulate Newton
UCF freshman QB tries to model his game after do-it-all star of NFL’s Panthers
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The comparisons to Cam Newton began rather early in Darriel Mack Jr.’s football career.
Both were gifted with size, speed and a strong arm. Newton used those skills to propel Auburn to a national championship in 2010, winning a Heisman Trophy along the way.
Mack would put those same traits to work, first as a high school quarterback out of Norfolk, Va., where he ran through defenses.
“People say that all the time, but even before I played quarterback, Cam Newton was my guy,” Mack said of the comparisons. “The way he carries himself … he’s definitely a confident guy and that always stuck out to me.”
His teammates are well aware Mack is a big Newton fan.
“The man loves Cam Newton,” said UCF receiver Gabe Davis. “I feel like he wants to play like him. Cam Newton is a great player and I definitely feel like there are some aspects … he’s a bigger-body guy, he runs the ball hard, has a strong arm. That’s his favorite guy.”
UCF offensive lineman Wyatt Miller added, “He’s a huge Cam Newton fan, I think, because of Can Newton’s resiliency and the guy that he is.”
At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Mack has been an imposing threat out of the backfield.
During UCF’s first game of the season against UConn, the redshirt freshman showcased his speed when he faked a handoff before outracing the entire Huskies defense on a 70-yard touchdown run, the first of his college career.
During his first start against East Carolina on Oct. 20, Mack led the team with 120 rushing yards, the second-most rushing yards by a Knights quarterback in school history.
And in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game, he was 19-of-27 passing for 348 yards and accounted for six touchdowns while leading UCF back from a 17-point halftime deficit to defeat Memphis.
“They’re both big and they can both throw it down the field and they both make plays with their feet, so there are some similarities,” UCF quarterbacks coach Jeff Lebby said of Mack and Newton. “DJ’s a huge Cam fan. We give him heck about it all the time. Both guys are incredibly competitive and want to fight to win, so that’s a good trait to have.”
Lebby said Mack’s pregame routine is even centered on Newton.
“Ten minutes in the locker room before he goes out, he’s watching Cam Newton highlights and that’s kind of what he does. That’s what gets him into being him,” Lebby said.
“Yeah, it kinds of soothes me,” Mack said, confirming his Newton-centric pregame ritual.
Newton’s highlights aren’t the only thing that inspires Mack.
“DJ posts a Cam Newton quote on Snapchat before every game,” Miller said. “I look forward to reading them.”
“I was on Twitter the other day and I was just scrolling down and I see a tweet about Cam Newton and low and behold DJ was the one that retweeted it,” running back Greg McCrae added.
The similarities between Newton and Mack go beyond the physical traits.
“It isn’t so much talking about Cam, but it’s about the way that he carries himself,” McCrae said. “You see him do things that are similar to Cam. You know, he has to shake everyone’s hand … but that’s the type of thing that you like, the way he carries himself.”
Miller added, “Obviously they’re two different people, but the way Cam plays the game is the right way and I think DJ recognizes that.”
For Lebby, Mack’s ability to grow into a leader has been vital to UCF’s continued success this season.
“It’s fun to be around because he loves ball, he loves watching ball and that’s the kind of guys that you want in the room,” Lebby said of Mack.
Newton and Mack, however, differ when it comes to a sense of fashion.
Newton developed a reputation for being fashion-forward off the field, showing up to press conferences in various hats, scarves and jackets, sometimes generating buzz on social media.
Mack isn’t about to show up dressed in anything as extreme.
“DJ likes to look nice and dress up a bit, but I don’t know if he’s
like Cam. I’m not saying Cam can’t dress, but they have a little bit more money than us right now,” Davis said.
“I’m more of a chill guy,” Mack said of his fashion sense.
While they may differ on style, Mack will do his best to keep honoring Newton and trying to follow in his footsteps..
“My kid’s name will be Cameron,” Mack said matter-of-factly.
“Wow, I didn’t even know it was that bad,” McCrae said while rolling his eyes.
Mack doesn’t mind how much his teammates tease him as long as he can live up to Newton’s reputation on the field.