2012 Top 25 Under 25: #11 Cam Newton

Born: May 11, 1989 (age 22)
Team: Carolina Panthers
Position: QB

Cam Newton was amazing in college, but I don't think I was the only one questioning him as he came into the NFL. It was really about the whole "Gruden Camp" thing. He didn't seem to really know about picking apart a defense, or even many plays. Boy, was I wrong.

- AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (2011)
- Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2011)
- Sporting News Rookie of the Year (2011)
- PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year (2011)
- Pro Bowl (2011)
- 3× Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week
- NFL record for most passing yards by a rookie: 4,051 (2011)
- NFL single-season record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback: 14 (2011)
- Most passing yards by a rookie in a game (432), September 18, 2011 vs. Green Bay Packers[62]
- Most passing yards by a rookie in a season (4,051), 2011
- First rookie in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in back to back games, September 11, 2011 vs. Arizona Cardinals and September 18, 2011 vs. Green Bay Packers[62]
- First rookie in NFL history to throw for 10 touchdowns and run for 10 touchdowns in a season.
- Fourth rookie quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in a season.
- Third most pass TDs (21) in a rookie season.
- Most total touchdowns by a rookie NFL player: 35 (21 pass, 14 rush).
- Most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback: 706
- First player in NFL history with 4,000+ pass yards and 10+ rush TDs in a season.
- First player in NFL history with 4,000+ pass yards and 500+ rush yards in a season.

Not bad list of accomplishments for your first year in the NFL, especially when we aren't even talking about what he did in college (2 time National Champion, Heisman Trophy, ect). Newton played in all 16 games for the Panthers, completed 60% of his passes, threw for 4,051 yards with 21 TDs and 17 INTs. Sure, that isn't the greatest TD/INT rate, but when you add in his 706 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs it really starts to look even more impressive.

At 22 years old, he has the chance to be what Vick was supposed to be, but an even better passer. Newton is breaking the mold of QBs, and is probably a big reason why RG III was taken so high.