RECRUITING: Liberty’s Newman, Hughes commit to Dixie State

After a breakout senior season, Liberty quarterback Tyler Newman was hoping to land at a Division I program.

Instead, he’ll have the opportunity to play close to home and with one of his high school teammates.

Newman, the Review-Journal’s state Player of the Year this season, committed Saturday to attend Dixie State, a Division II school in St. George, Utah. He’ll join teammate and offensive lineman Scott Hughes, who comitted to Dixie State earlier this week.

“It’s great that the two of them will get to go together,” Liberty coach Rich Muraco said. “It’s a big step, and they’ll have each other to lean on when times get tough. It’s awesome for them, and it’s nice for me because I’ll get to be able to go and see two of my kids play.”

Newman threw for 3,988 yards and 42 touchdowns and ran for 511 yards and nine TDs in helping the Patriots to a 10-4 record and a Sunrise Region title.

“Tyler had a great season,” Muraco said. “Obviously, every kid dreams of going on to a big-time Division I program, and we were hoping for a lot of opportunities for him. As the process played out, he got a lot of interest from Division II and Division III schools.

“It’s close to home. He likes the offensive system they run. He got a tour of the campus, and really liked what he saw.”

Muraco said Air Force continues to show interest in Newman, but the Falcons are waiting on another quarterback to make his decision before making an offer to Newman.

It’s possible Air Force could still make an offer, and Newman, whose commitment to Dixie State is nonbinding, could also change his mind. High school players can sign national letters of intent starting Wednesday.

As a junior, the 5-foot-11-inch Newman split time between receiver and quarterback, playing behind standout Kai Nacua.

“His height was really the only knock on him, and being behind Kai might have hurt his stock a little bit,” Muraco said. “If he would have started his junior season and put up big numbers, a lot of schools might have had more interest in him. He handled it all with such maturity. He knew his role, and he never complained. He just wanted to help the team win.”

Hughes, 6-1, 285 pounds, earned first-team All-Southeast League honors as a senior, despite playing all season with an injured shoulder.

“He really has a ton of toughness,” Muraco said. “Instead of stopping and having surgery during the season, he toughed it out.”

Several Division II and Division III schools showed interest in Hughes, who was highly pursued by the University of Redlands and Lewis & Clark.

“When (Dixie State) was looking into Tyler, they saw Scott was still available,” Muraco said. “It’s a good fit for him, and it’s close to home.”

Muraco said All-State defensive end Jarvis Polu returns Sunday from his visit to Navy and is expected to choose between UNLV, Army and Navy.