FOOTBALL: Defensive ends share bond

“Brother“ is a strong word.

Usually only reserved for blood relatives and very close friends, it’s a term of endearment.

Jonathan Newsome and Nick Miles call each other brothers.

“It’s just good to go out to war with my brother,” Miles said. “I love him.”

The two start on both defensive end spots of Ball State’s defensive line and have since the beginning of the 2012 season.

Newsome transferred from Ohio State at the beginning of the 2011 season, Miles’ freshman season.

They were constantly around each other in meetings and on the practice field.

“It was just natural for us to come together and become best friends,” Newsome said.

Over the summer, Miles stayed at Newsome’s house for a few days.

The two have been able to learn different things from each other.

Miles, a junior, is a year younger than Newsome and has picked up some practice habits from the senior.

“You just get so tense, you’re not having fun sometimes,” Newsome said. “That’s one thing I’ve shown Nick. When you’re out here, it’s playtime.“

Miles played in 10 games his freshman season, registering 16 tackles, before becoming a starter in 2012.

“[He grew] from a guy with potential to a great football player,” Newsome said. “That’s all because he just put the work in. He didn’t just naturally have it. He
made himself have it.”

Some of the work Miles has put in is in the weight room. Miles said he has lost five pounds since the end of last season and feels like a better athlete.

“They’re different body types for sure,” Ball State head coach Pete Lembo said. “John is obviously a longer guy. Nick is a thicker guy and in our style of
defense, you do like those guys to be different body types.”

Newsome admits Miles is better at certain technical aspects of playing defensive end, such as using his hands to shed blockers. However, Newsome feels he’s more
athletic and can share “cheats“ to get by linemen.

“His success is my success,” Newsome said. “If he gets a sack, it’s just like me getting a sack. Same thing.“

This season, Ball State is tied for eighth in the Mid-American Conference in sacks with 11. Three have come from Newsome and one from Miles. Newsome was named to the preseason watch lists for the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Ted Hendricks Award.

After missing the 2012 season’s first two games with a suspension, Newsome had six sacks at this point last season.

“[The pass rush has] gotten a little better as the year has gone on,“ Lembo said. “It’s been good to see us get some pressure the last couple weeks without
blitzing.”

When they’re not getting pressure on the field, Newsome and Miles spend time together watching film after practices.

“Depending on what kind of night it is,“ Newsome said. “If he has too much homework, we’ll watch it another night. But we always get film night in. We’ll play games
together.”

They’ve played the top sports games, Madden, NCAA and NBA 2K.

Who’s better at video games?

“He beat me at Madden, but I’m better at NBA 2K,” Miles said.

Five feet away, Newsome smiled, put his hand to his face and shook his head.

“No you aren’t,” he said while laughing.

Just like a brother would.

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