Claudia Collins
On March 25, Casteel cornerback Jeremiah Newcombe committed to the University of Oklahoma.
Throughout his recruitment, JJ had unwavering support from his father and Casteel head coach Bobby Newcombe. The father-son duo went on a road trip to visit about a dozen schools to explore all of his options. However, it was the relationships with the Sooners’ co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai and head coach Brent Venables that sealed the deal for JJ.
Wow!! Words can’t describe how excited and blessed I am!!♥️🤍 @OU_Football @JayValai @CoachVenables @CoachNewcombe @IsaiahNewcombe @CasteelFootball @MsRachelN ⭕️U pic.twitter.com/i3wd3QAFrz
— Jeremiah Newcombe (@newcombe_jj) March 26, 2023
“The big thing with the relationship with me and coach Valai. It all started because he FaceTimed me and he saw my clips and stuff and offered me. But the thing is, he stayed consistent with his relationship with me. He came to my basketball at Mountain Pointe and he saw my big block I had against the one dude on a fast break. The fact that he saw that because he came out made me realize, ‘oh my gosh he came out to see me at a basketball game.’”
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound three-sport athlete said Jay Valai hadn’t taken a single day off of contacting him since he made the offer.
@newcombe_jj blocking shots.@CasteelFootball @IsaiahNewcombe pic.twitter.com/II11gVqH3g
— Bobby Newcombe (@CoachNewcombe) January 18, 2023
Jeremiah says he’s a “relationships guy”. While that’s what put the Sooners over the edge in his recruitment, he says Oklahoma’s scheme fits him better than any other. He had offers from 21 programs.
“Their defensive scheme is the right fit for me because they want me in the corner nickel spot over there. Other schools, they were more receiver spot or just corner. I think with their defensive scheme putting me in at the nickel spot I can like, you know, help them out and give my value to them.”
After a great conversation with @JayValai I have received an offer to @OU_Football. Thank you and @CoachVenables for the opportunity and for recognizing my potential to play at the collegiate level.@coachnewcombe @CasteelFootball @IsaiahNewcombe pic.twitter.com/lFGrRFXxiB
— Jeremiah Newcombe (@newcombe_jj) November 1, 2022
Last season Newcombe posted 36 solo tackles and 62 total tackles with one tackle for loss and two interceptions.
JJ had none other than former Bills quarterback J.P. Losman showing him around campus on his unofficial visit. He was blown away but the football facilities as well as other on-campus amenities.
“I like how [the weight room] is designed. They’ve got an indoor turf field to do sprints and explosive movements. There’s like enough racks for the whole team to be in. Outside of the football area, I would say the dorms. You have your own bathroom and your own room so you don’t have to share space.”
Jeremiah had considered exploring opportunities to play basketball at the next level as well. However, he says his focus will be exclusively on football once he gets to Oklahoma…apart from the occasional pickup game against some teammates. As the three-sport athlete looks ahead to his final seasons of high school athletics at Casteel, he says he doesn’t have any stat goals.
“I really have a leadership goal. I really want to lift my teammates up, be more vocal on the field and be more vocal outside of the field too. I want to make sure my guys stay on top of their grades and make good choices off of the field. I want to try to ask about their day and really get to know them and what they’re going through at home.”
However, he’s also looking forward to more nights in the locker room listening to unexpected music with his teammates.
“My favorite thing is just the locker room and just like vibing with music with the guys. It’s not even just the hardcore hip-hop, Lil Baby music. Sometimes we just gotta be free and listen to like Katy Perry California Girls.”
