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Senior tight end Jacob Newell began his career at Arizona State and played three years at Akron before landing at Toledo.
Rocket Spotlight on Jacob Newell
4/15/2026 9:32:00 AM | Football
On his journey from Oregon to Arizona to Ohio, his long-term business plan with his brothers, and why he thinks Toledo is "the pinnacle of the MAC"
Jacob Newell is a senior tight end from Springfield, Oregon. He began his career at Arizona State before transferring to Akron in 2023. In 2024, he caught 35 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns for the Zips. After seeing limited action in 2025 due to an injury, Newell transferred to Toledo for his final season as a collegian.
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On his hometown and family
I'm from Springfield, Oregon, right by Eugene. It's about two hours from the coast. My dad played receiver at Portland State. He's a football coach at my high school, Thurston. My mom was a middle school "detention lady," so I went through the school systems and always saw them. My dad was the running backs coach when I was in high school, now he's the OC. My middle brother Luke was a tight end there and my youngest brother Matt was a receiver. They both play at Southern Oregon now.
On his recruiting experience in high school
My junior year was during COVID so that was kind of weird for me. I committed early to Nevada. When 7-on-7 camps finally opened up, we went out to Florida, SEC country, and after that I was really getting recruited. I opened my recruiting back up as a senior and eventually committed to Arizona State.
On his one season at Arizona State
Two weeks in, I broke my leg during summer camp. I had to get surgery on my ankle and sat that whole season. Then Coach (Herm) Edwards got fired two games in and it was just kind of a mess with all the coaching staff. The new coach brought in some new guys, so I was thinking that I wanted to go somewhere with an opportunity to play more and really prove myself.
On transferring to Akron
I knew (Akron Head) Coach (Joe) Morehead from him being the OC at Oregon. I played in the same 7-on-7 program with his son, so I had that connection. I transferred there and played three years at Akron. The first year was alright, kind of a learning curve. My second year was a big year for me. I really loved my tight ends coach there, Reno Ferri. I debated transferring after that, but I wanted to stick it out there with him. But in my third year, I ended up not playing a lot due to a concussion.
On choosing to transfer to Toledo
I had a good relationship with my coaches at Akron, and they knew that it was time for me to move on from there and pursue something else. That's where Toledo came in. Being from another MAC school, from the outside looking in, for me Toledo was the pinnacle of the MAC. I knew that Toledo had a good program and that they send a lot of guys to the NFL. Initially, when I hit the portal, I did not want to come back to Ohio. I wanted to go somewhere closer to home. But after I talked to Coach Allen and Coach Jacobs, they really hooked me. I really liked what they had to say and what they stood for. They were real, no sugar-coating it.
On his goals for the 2026 season
I plan on making a big impact for this team. With my experience in the MAC, I feel I know how some of this stuff operates. Playing physical has always been a big part of my game, and I'm looking to bring that with me here.
On his goals after graduation
I want to pursue the NFL. I think I have the body for it. But eventually I want to open up my own gym back home with my two brothers, Luke and Matt.
On his impressions of the football program thus far
I feel like everything is coming together. The message that we're getting from the coaches is pretty urgent, and we are all picking up on that. Being at Akron, I'm used to being at a school with a lot of transfers. This year is not much different for me except that the coaches are all new too, so we're all learning and growing together.
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On his hometown and family
I'm from Springfield, Oregon, right by Eugene. It's about two hours from the coast. My dad played receiver at Portland State. He's a football coach at my high school, Thurston. My mom was a middle school "detention lady," so I went through the school systems and always saw them. My dad was the running backs coach when I was in high school, now he's the OC. My middle brother Luke was a tight end there and my youngest brother Matt was a receiver. They both play at Southern Oregon now.
On his recruiting experience in high school
My junior year was during COVID so that was kind of weird for me. I committed early to Nevada. When 7-on-7 camps finally opened up, we went out to Florida, SEC country, and after that I was really getting recruited. I opened my recruiting back up as a senior and eventually committed to Arizona State.
On his one season at Arizona State
Two weeks in, I broke my leg during summer camp. I had to get surgery on my ankle and sat that whole season. Then Coach (Herm) Edwards got fired two games in and it was just kind of a mess with all the coaching staff. The new coach brought in some new guys, so I was thinking that I wanted to go somewhere with an opportunity to play more and really prove myself.
On transferring to Akron
I knew (Akron Head) Coach (Joe) Morehead from him being the OC at Oregon. I played in the same 7-on-7 program with his son, so I had that connection. I transferred there and played three years at Akron. The first year was alright, kind of a learning curve. My second year was a big year for me. I really loved my tight ends coach there, Reno Ferri. I debated transferring after that, but I wanted to stick it out there with him. But in my third year, I ended up not playing a lot due to a concussion.
On choosing to transfer to Toledo
I had a good relationship with my coaches at Akron, and they knew that it was time for me to move on from there and pursue something else. That's where Toledo came in. Being from another MAC school, from the outside looking in, for me Toledo was the pinnacle of the MAC. I knew that Toledo had a good program and that they send a lot of guys to the NFL. Initially, when I hit the portal, I did not want to come back to Ohio. I wanted to go somewhere closer to home. But after I talked to Coach Allen and Coach Jacobs, they really hooked me. I really liked what they had to say and what they stood for. They were real, no sugar-coating it.
On his goals for the 2026 season
I plan on making a big impact for this team. With my experience in the MAC, I feel I know how some of this stuff operates. Playing physical has always been a big part of my game, and I'm looking to bring that with me here.
On his goals after graduation
I want to pursue the NFL. I think I have the body for it. But eventually I want to open up my own gym back home with my two brothers, Luke and Matt.
On his impressions of the football program thus far
I feel like everything is coming together. The message that we're getting from the coaches is pretty urgent, and we are all picking up on that. Being at Akron, I'm used to being at a school with a lot of transfers. This year is not much different for me except that the coaches are all new too, so we're all learning and growing together.
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