We’ve been high on Reilly Newman Reilly Newman 6'6" | 290 lbs | DL/TE Lakota West | 2027 State OH for a long time, and it’s so easy to see why. The 6-foot-6, 290 pounder has a frame college coaches covet on the defensive line. While he aligns mostly as an edge, he could easily add some bulk and become a run-plugging interior defensive tackle with twitchy and power. Very instinctive defensive lineman who flows to the ball. The Iowa Hawkeyes are getting a huge addition to their defense.

The big defensive lineman for the Firebirds really changed his body last offseason. Reilly (pictured above) was able to add good weight to his large frame while maintaining his athleticism and get off and it resulted in a huge junior season. This contact period he’s been reaping the rewards in the form of offers from Vanderbilt, Minnesota, and Wisconsin that he adds to an already impressive list.

Reilly Newman Reilly Newman 6'6" | 290 lbs | DL/TE Lakota West | 2027 State OH is a strong prospect for Lakota West. Like Perez, he is 6-foot-6 and a lean 275 pounds. With that frame, he uses his bulk and size to shed blocks, set a vertical edge and wrap up ballcarriers behind the line-of-scrimmage. His size, speed and athleticism are elite. Some have him ranked as a three-star recruit, but I have no doubt that will improve with a strong college camp showing and even-better senior year for the Tom Bolden-coached team.

Newman didn’t have a lot of tackles on the evening, but he was a defensive presence for the Firebirds defense. He did a great job of using his size and strength to eat space and help to stifle Middletown’s run game. He uses his length well to leverage blockers and make plays. Newman currently holds Power 4 offers from Indiana, Iowa, Maryland and Kentucky.

Newman’s physicality has opened the eyes of some prominent P4 programs. He’s a big individual who can block well in open space and, as a defensive lineman, can set the edge and wreck an opposing offense’s game plan. Bowling Green, Kentucky, Oregon, Purdue, and Iowa have reached out with offers within the past few days.

Reilly had a very good Sophomore season in 2024. He lines up inline. He is a great run blocker. He is quick off the ball and uses his very good use of hands and play strength to overpower LB with ease giving the RB a lane to run through. He displays very good mental toughness as he elevates his play in the redzone near the goal line both as a receiver as he gets open before showing good hands as he makes the catch in the endzone and as a blocker as well.