Josh Newton Bio
Josh Newton (born September 14, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 ft 11 in and listed at 190 lb, he plays the cornerback position and wears jersey number 28. Newton played college football for the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks before finishing his collegiate career with the TCU Horned Frogs.
Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Newton has begun his professional career as an active member of the team’s secondary. He is recognized for his coverage skills and ball production, traits that translated directly from his All-Big 12 college tenure.
Early Life and Background
Josh Newton was born on September 14, 2000, in Monroe, Louisiana, where he grew up and attended Ouachita Parish High School. At Ouachita Parish, he was a two-year starting wide receiver on the football team, giving him an offensive foundation that would later help his defensive transition.
As a senior at Ouachita Parish, Newton earned first-team all-district honors and was selected to play in the LHSCA East-West All-Star Game. Those performances helped him attract college interest, and he ultimately committed to play college football at Louisiana–Monroe, staying close to his hometown of Monroe.
Path to American Football
Newton redshirted his freshman season at Louisiana–Monroe in 2018, preserving a year of eligibility while he adjusted to the college level. During the 2019 spring practices, the coaching staff converted him from wide receiver to cornerback, a move that ultimately defined his career path.
As a converted defensive back, Newton quickly showed ball skills. In week nine of the 2020 season, he picked off a pass by Zac Thomas for his first career interception, even though the Warhawks lost that game to Appalachian State 31–13. The following season, in week seven of 2021, he intercepted a pass off Malik Willis in a win over Liberty, and in week twelve he made another interception in a defeat to LSU 27–14, demonstrating consistency against top competition.
Josh Newton Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
During his early years at Louisiana–Monroe, Newton developed into a reliable cornerback after his position switch. In 2019, he recorded 20 tackles and two pass deflections, establishing himself as a contributor in the Warhawks secondary.
By the 2020 season, he posted 16 tackles, with 0.5 going for a loss, five pass deflections, and one interception. His play continued to grow in 2021, when he finished with 48 tackles, five tackles for loss, eight pass deflections, and two interceptions. After that final Louisiana–Monroe campaign, Newton entered the transfer portal and chose to finish his collegiate career at TCU.
TCU Horned Frogs Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Newton’s first season at TCU in 2022 began quickly, as he recorded his first interception for the Horned Frogs in week two to help beat Tarleton State 59–17. The following week, he picked off a pass by quarterback Tanner Mordecai in a 42–34 victory over SMU, showing he could produce in Big 12 play right away.
In TCU’s season finale, Newton returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown as the Horned Frogs routed Iowa State 62–14. He finished the 2022 season with 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 12 pass deflections, three interceptions, and a touchdown, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Newton was named preseason first-team All-Big 12 and was also recognized as a preseason All-American by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. He appeared on watch lists for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and the Wuerffel Trophy, and he earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2023 for his continued production.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2024–Present)
Newton was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round, 149th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft, becoming an active member of the team’s cornerback group. His route to the NFL was built on coverage reliability and turnover production that he refined over five college seasons.
During his rookie season, Newton recorded his first career NFL interception in Week 15’s road win against the Tennessee Titans. Through his first NFL season, he posted 31 total tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception, providing rotational depth in the Bengals secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
Newton brings a receiver’s perspective to his cornerback work, which helps him anticipate routes and break on the football. His ball production, including 12 pass deflections in 2022 and multiple interceptions at both Louisiana–Monroe and TCU, has been the most consistent part of his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments is the 57-yard interception return for a touchdown in TCU’s 62–14 season finale rout of Iowa State in 2022. His first NFL interception against the Tennessee Titans in 2024 also stands out as a milestone in his transition to professional football.
Josh Newton Career Wins
Josh Newton’s career achievements are built primarily on individual defensive production and postseason recognition rather than team championships. Across his college and early NFL tenure, he has earned conference honors at TCU and contributed to multiple team wins with timely interceptions.
TCU Horned Frogs Highlights
At TCU, Newton’s win-impact plays included his early-season interceptions against Tarleton State and SMU in 2022, both of which came in victories. His pick-six against Iowa State capped a 62–14 rout and served as the signature win-producing play of his TCU career.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time at Louisiana–Monroe, Newton contributed to wins including a victory over Liberty in 2021 where he intercepted a pass off Malik Willis. Those performances helped set the stage for his transfer to TCU and his eventual selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Josh Newton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Josh Newton was raised in Monroe, Louisiana, and attended Ouachita Parish High School, where he developed as a multi-sport athlete. Public details about his immediate family are limited, and further lineage information is not clearly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Newton keeps much of his personal life private. Public records and available biographical sources do not provide verified details about a spouse, children, or current residence beyond his connection to the Cincinnati Bengals organization.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Josh Newton looks to build on his rookie year with the Cincinnati Bengals after recording 31 tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception as a rotational cornerback. His first NFL interception against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15 of 2024 gave him a confidence-building milestone to carry into offseason work.
Newton’s path to a larger defensive role will likely depend on continued coverage consistency and ball-hawking production, the same traits that earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022. With the Bengals’ secondary always in need of depth and playmaking, he has an opportunity to expand his snap count.
Looking ahead, the 2025 outlook for Newton centers on competing for a more permanent spot in the cornerback rotation and adding to his interception total. His combination of size, receiver background, and proven ball skills position him as a player to watch within the Bengals’ defensive backfield.