Newkirk Registers for NFL Draft
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
January 11, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State defensive tackle Robert Newkirk has elected to forego his senior season by declaring himself eligible for the 1999 National Football League Draft. Newkirk became the third Michigan State underclassmen to file paperwork with the NFL before the Jan. 8 deadline, joining tailback Sedrick Irvin and defensive end Dimitrius Underwood.
Newkirk, a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches, recorded 61 tackles (20 solos, 41 assists) in 1998, with three going for losses (21 yards). The 6-foot-3, 286-pounder from Belle Glade, Fla., produced a career-high 11 tackles (6-5) vs. Indiana. He was named Spartan Co-Defensive Player of the Week after registering seven stops (3-4) vs. Northwestern, including two sacks (20 yards), as MSU limited the Wildcats to 6 yards rushing. Newkirk also had seven tackles (1-6) in Michigan State's 28-24 victory over top-ranked Ohio State.
A three-year starter, Newkirk finished his Spartan career with 147 total tackles (61 solos, 86 assists), with 18 for losses (73 yards) including eight sacks (57).
Newkirk, a horticulture major, is on schedule to graduate in May.
