Ball State University Athletics
Football Adds Two Players to Program
August 26, 2011 | Football
Ball State first-year head football coach Pete Lembo has announced the addition of two transfers -- Jonathan Newsome and Toney Williams -- to the Cardinals roster.
"We are pleased to welcome Jonathan and Toney to Ball State," Lembo says. "We knew Toney from as far back as his high school days in Atlanta and Jonathan has several former high school teammates currently in our football program. These relationships should help ease their transition to a new environment. We look forward to getting them acclimated this year and hope they will make a positive contribution in future seasons."
Newsome spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons at Ohio State as a linebacker. He played in five games in 2009 and played in all 13 contests in 2010. Newsome earned his first collegiate start vs. Minnesota as a sophomore. Newsome is 6-foot-3, 220 lbs., and played primarily on special teams for the Buckeyes. A graduate of Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Newsome totalled 101 tackles and 17 sacks as a senior. He was a team captain as a senior and named All-Ohio Second Team. As a junior, Newsome managed 72 tackles and 13 sacks.
Williams, a 6-0, 220 lb., running back, spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons at Tennessee. He redshirted for the Volunteers in 2009 and saw action in three games last fall. Williams, a running back at UT, rushed a career high three times for a career best eight yards in the 2010 season opener vs. Tennessee-Martin. He managed two carries for three yards at Memphis plus played against LSU. Williams enrolled at UT in January of 2009 and participated in spring drills. He was ranked as the No. 4 fullback in the 2009 class by Scout.com and was invited to the Under Armour All-America Game following the 2008 season. Williams was selected the Georgia Class 5A Player of the Year in 2008 while leading Milton High School to the state playoffs for the first time in nine seasons. He rushed for 1,945 yards and scored 26 touchdowns as a senior plus rushed for 785 yards and seven TDs as a junior. Williams managed 22 receptions for 240 yards as a junior. He scored seven TDs in Milton's 2008 season opening win.
Both players will sit out the 2011 season as transfers due to NCAA rules, but will practice with the Cardinals and be eligible for competition in the 2012 campaign.
