Blackman football gets 'physicality' from transfer receivers Keionte Newson, Malachi Burns

It would be hard to argue that Blackman's 2018 wide receiver trio of Trey Knox, Adonis Otey and Micaleous Elder were one of the best - if not the best - tandems ever in the area.

When all three graduated in the spring, one might have thought the cupboard would be much more bare in the department at Blackman heading into the 2019 season.

Enter transfers Keionte Newson and Malachi Burns.

The two physical receivers will help give Blackman big weapons the Blaze lost when Knox moved on to Arkansas, Otey to Southern California and Elder to Charlotte.

"The two receivers we brought in will be a big aspect," said Blackman junior quarterback Drew Beam. "They're going to get balls. They've shown they’ll be aggressive. They run good routes and they're good outside receivers. They're physical and they're good with their feet."

Both Newson and Burns moved to Murfreesboro before school was out last year and were with the Blaze during spring practice. Both came with pedigrees.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Newson had 43 receptions for 913 yards and 10 touchdowns during his junior year at Brighton. He and his family moved to Murfreesboro early in 2019 when his mother got a job in the area.

A talented linebacker, he committed to play the position for Texas-San Antonio in late July.

"When I get the ball in my hands, I turn into a running back," said Newson, on his strength as a receiver. "I am a threat every time I touch the ball. I'll be hard to bring down."

Burns had more than 800 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns last season for Shelbyville before his family moved to Murfreesboro. "Everybody worked here," he said of the move.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder, who has an offer from UT-Martin and is rated a 3-star prospect by 247Sports, said he isn't worried about following in some big footsteps.

"I worked with (Knox) a lot (before he left for Arkansas)," Burns said. "He taught me some of the stuff he does. There's no pressure.

"I'm trying to get 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. But we have playmakers on this team. I'm not selfish. I just want to win."

While Burns and Newson bring a physical game to the wide receiving corps, Blackman will still have speed out there to help replace Otey and Elder in the form of seniors Luke Hayes, Emilio Martin and Dajeun Gibson.

"It definitely changes how you want to get them the ball," said Blackman coach Kit Hartsfield, on fitting the two transfers into his offense. "You want to put them in good matchups that will be tough to cover.

"(Newson) adds a physicality to the game and is a big target over the middle. Drew is very confident when he throws him the ball. (Burns) has adapted really well. He had a rough (throat) injury during the spring and it took him a little longer. But once he got through summer and got going, he's been catching passes. He provides a big radius for the quarterback and matchup issues for anyone."

Blackman will open the season at home on the turf at Bart Smith Field on Saturday, Aug. 24 against defending Class 3A champ Alcoa.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

Want to stay informed on the latest high school sports news? A Daily News Journal subscription gets you unlimited access to the best inside information and updates on local preps sports, and the ability to tap into sports news from throughout the USA TODAY Network's 109 local sites.