Signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams on April 25, 2005.
2004: First Team All-MAC ... played in 12 games ... recorded six tackles and an interception against Memphis in the GMAC Bowl ... finished first in the MAC and fourth in the country with six interceptions... including two INTs that resulted in a touchdown (vs. #2 Oklahoma for 28 yards and vs. Marshall for 42 yards) ... had 72 tackles, including two 10-tackle games against #2 Oklahoma and Northern Illinois ... had five TFL for minus-16 yards ... had two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, including one against #2 Oklahoma and Southeast Missouri ... also had two blocked kicks.
2003: Started 13 games in 2003 ... led the team with 124 tackles, 15 PBR and six forced fumbles ... also had nine TFL ... two-time MAC West Player of the Week - (Sept. 6) after recording 12 tackles and a forced fumble at Purdue and (Nov. 29) after 10 tackles with one TFL and PBU vs. Toledo ... recorded six tackles and PBR vs. Miami in MAC Championship ... recorded second INT of the season at Ball State, along with seven tackles and PBU ... had 11 tackles against KSU ... had 13 tackles and his MAC-leading fourth fumble forced at Miami ... had seven stops vs. NIU ... seven tackles including a sack at EMU ... broke up two passes at both EMU and WMU ... had 11 tackles, 1 TFL and two breakups vs. CMU ... seven tackles at OSU ... made eight stops and recovered a fumble vs. Liberty ... led BGSU with nine tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a forced fumble vs. EKU ... also played basketball for the Falcons in 2002-03... finished the season with seven tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack in the Motor City Bowl versus Northwestern ... named team[apos]s defensive MVP against Purdue, Central Michigan and Toledo ... also earned special teams MVP honors against Liberty.
2002: Played in 12 games, starting in 11 ... was fifth on the team with 62 tackles ... had six tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup vs. EMU ... had two TFLs at Toledo, one of them being a sack ... had seven stops at NIU...had his second career INT against Tennessee Tech and third at Kent State ... finished with eight pass deflections ... named team[apos]s Special Teams Player of the Week for blocking two punts against the Golden Eagles.
2001: Played in all 11 games, starting in five ... totaled 35 tackles (27 solo) ... recorded a season-high nine tackles (seven solo) and had an INT in first career start at Akron.
High School: A 2001 graduate of Columbia H.S. in Decatur, Georgia ... a [quote]Super 11[quote] selection and defensive Player of the Year ... had a career-best 10 tackles, two INTs and a TD against Clarkson H.S. ... coached by Dave Edwards ... lettered in football, basketball and track ... member of the Honor Roll.
Personal: Full name is Keon Dontae Newson ... son of Lewis and Lunell Newson ... Business major ... born Sept. 10, 1982 ... brother, Kendall, plays for the Miami Dolphins.
Year Solo Asst. Total TFL Int. PBU
2001 27 8 35 1 1 4
2002 39 23 62 3 2 8
2003 78 46 124 9.5 1 15
2004 38 34 72 5.0 6 8
Tot. 182 111 293 18.5 10 35
