Holy Cross transfer OL Luke Newman commits to Michigan State
Holy Cross transfer offensive lineman Luke Newman recently entered the portal in search of a new home. On Saturday afternoon, he officially found it. Newman committed to the Michigan State Spartans and announced the news on his Twitter page.
Named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press a year ago, the 6-foot-4, 310-pound senior was tabbed by multiple outlets as an FCS Preseason All-American this summer. The Bloomfield, Michigan, native is a three-time Patriot League first-team selection, too.
Viewed as one of the nation’s top offensive linemen at the FCS level, the three-year starter would bring experience and maturity to a roster. He is repped by Darren J. Wilson and First Class Prospects and has one year of eligibility remaining.
According to Pro Football Focus, Newman grades out as No. 4 in the nation at the offensive tackle position with FBS and FCS divisions combined. He’s allowed just one sack, no hits and three hurries this season on 325 pass-blocking snaps.
In his three seasons as a starter with the Crusaders, Holy Cross went 29-8 and ranked No. 3 in FCS this past season in rushing offense. Luke Newman led an offensive line that helped the Crusaders finish No. 8 nationally in scoring offense in 2022.
Holy Cross failed to make the FCS playoffs this season. Head coach Bob Chesney has become the leading name to take over at Syracuse.
The Michigan State offensive line was in need of some reinforcements. The Spartans ranked 59th in the nation in sacks allowed (25 total sacks). Their running game also struggled to get anything going, ranking as one of the nation’s worst units. Michigan State only managed 89.5 yards per game, ranking them 127th out of 133 qualifying teams.
Michigan State will need all the help they can get in the 2024 campaign, as their schedule features a pretty loaded slate. They’ll have to face Ohio State, Oregon, Iowa, and Michigan. Not only that, they’ll face all four of those opponents in consecutive weeks. That promises to be a grueling stretch for the Spartans, to say the least.
They’ll be welcoming in a new era, as they usher in Jonathan Smith, former head coach of Oregon State. He developed a dominant ground attack the past few years with the Beavers, and he’ll be expected to do the same in East Lansing.
On3’s Pete Nakos also contributed to this article.