During his sophomore year at Carmel High School, he won the IHSAA Football State Championship in 2007.
[5] Newton committed to play football for the University of Kentucky Wildcats on August 21, 2008,[6] and was reportedly advised by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning during the decision-making process.
[7] Newton missed the first five games of his true freshman season and was intended to redshirt behind starter Mike Hartline but Hartline suffered a season-ending injury in the fifth game of the year, a loss at South Carolina that left Kentucky 2-3 on the season.
[9] Entering 2010, Newton faced competition from Ryan Mossakowski and former starter Mike Hartline for Kentucky's starting quarterback slot.
Much of Newton's playing time came in the game against Eastern Kentucky University, and in the Birmingham Bowl against Pittsburgh (Hartline was out due to suspension).