Bowling Green two-way transfer DJ Newman committed to Tennessee baseball Sunday afternoon just two days after visiting the Vols out of the transfer portal. Newman is eligible for next month’s MLB Draft.
Newman was highly productive on both the mound and at the plate in the first three years of his college career. The 6-foot right-hander hit .419 with nine doubles, four home runs and 16 RBIs in 25 games played as a junior. In his sophomore season, Newman hit .371 with 10 home runs, six doubles and 37 RBIs.
The Ohio native has also impressed on the mound, posting a 3.77 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched in 2025. As a sophomore, Newman posted a 4-2 record and 3.61 ERA while striking out 42 batters in 42.1 innings pitched. Newman was Bowling Green’s Friday night starter before suffering an injury this past season.
Newman boasted a 24.1% strikeout rate and a 5.8% walk rate over the course of both his sophomore and junior seasons. Tennessee pitching coach Frank Anderson loves pitchers who attack the strike zone and Newman does just that. His strikeout numbers aren’t overwhelming but certainly aren’t a major weakness either.
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The two-way standout was a Second Team All-MAC selection during the 2024 season and a Freshman All-American in 2023. Newman is the second Bowling Green player to transfer to Tennessee this offseason, joining utility man Garrett Wright.
Newman was Tennessee’s sixth commitment in the transfer portal to this point but most have been pitchers including Big South Pitcher of the Year Clay Edmondson, SoCon Pitcher of the Year Brady Frederick, Kennesaw State’s RHP Bo Rhudy and MIT’s RHP Mason Estrada. Bowling Green utility man Garrett Wright is currently the Vols’ lone position player commit in the portal.
Star Virginia transfer Henry Ford committed to Tony Vitello and his staff later on Sunday afternoon following Newman’s commitment.
Ford, Newman, Edmondson and Estrada are all draft eligible and varying degrees of risks to start their professional careers instead of coming to Tennessee.
The Vols have hosted a small handful of other visitors in the portal including Rice two-way freshman Blaine Brown Rutgers RHP Landon Mack and Cal infielder Jarren Advincula.
