2025 PFN Player Preview: Getting to Know Northern Lehigh RB/OLB Grady Newhard

Tagged under: District 11, News, Player Previews

Billy Splain | July 2, 2025

Grady Newhard
RB and OLB
Northern Lehigh
Class Of 2026
positions you play
Jersey #26
HT/WT 5’8 190
2024 Stars: 821 yards, 9 tds, 5.5 yards per carry. 500 pound squat
Other sports Wrestling and Track
2x All Colonial League Running Back
Twitter @grady_newhard

Coach says: “Grady will be a four year starter this year. Four years as defensive starter and three years as an offensive starter. He will have a great opportunity to be a 1000 + rusher for us this year.

Let’s get to know Grady!

Why do you play football?

It’s a very rewarding sport. I love the bonds and team camaraderie. The feeling of playing for a small school knowing that everyone is behind us is why I play.

It’s gameday! What are you looking forward to the most? 

Everything. But if I had to choose running out. The rush of adrenaline when you hit the field is something I wish everyone could experience.

Who is your favorite sports star and WHY?

Definitely Ashton Jeanty. Everytime he touches the ball he makes magic happen. He is also considered “undersized” like I am.

Do you have a favorite play you remember the most? Explain:

Last year against Lehighton we were down 14-8 in the 4th quarter and we ran double power. I bounced off 3 kids and ran into the end zone to put us up by 1.

What was last years season like for you?

It was a very bitter sweet. I matured so much as a player and was very consistent. Sadly I got injured and played the last three games of the season injured.

What are your goals for this coming season?

I would love for my team to win a district championship. I don’t care if I rush for 100 or 10 yards. I just want to win games and I think we will most definitely do that.

Who is the best player you ever lined up against?

Playing in the colonial league I’ve got to match up with some of the states best players. I would have to say Eli Zimmerman of Northwestern Lehigh. Looking at him you’re not blown away. But everytime he touched the ball they scored.

When the game is on the line, which college/professional coach would you like to call in the play? 

I wouldn’t say any other coaches than Coach Tout.

What stadium, HS/college/pro would you love to visit for a game?

I always wanted to play at J Birney Crum in Allentown. Such a cool stadium and historic stadium.

What is your favorite Pro team, any sport?

Pittsburgh Steelers.

What game, yours, college or pro, was your favorite game you watched and why?

When we beat Northwestern my freshman year. It was back and fourth the whole game. It came down to a goal line stand to win the game.

What sports movie would you watch every day if you had to pick one and why?

Not a movie but a TV show. Friday Night Lights is a great tv show. I think I binge watched it like 2 times now. Tim Riggins is definitely my favorite.

If your mom and dad are screaming at you from the stands, what is it they usually yell?

My dad is the lineman coach so he is usually talking with them on the side. My mom is usually yelling for me to run faster or something along those lines.

Name one thing that you’d love to do in football that may never happen?

I would love to throw a touchdown pass.

Who is your mentor, the person you want to be like? WHY?

My mom is definitely the person I want to be most like. My grandfather instilled a hard work ethic in her and she passed that down to me. She’s my number one supporter and has always had my back. Through the long days and early mornings. She always showed up .

Name a sport you’d love to play but can’t:

Lacrosse.

What is your most embarrassing sports moment?

My first ever varsity carry I fumbled. It was also my first game.

Is there anyone in your family, besides your parents, you could consider your biggest fan? Who, Why?

My grandfather and grandmother definitely. They are at all my games. I don’t know where I would be without there support.

When you aren’t playing, practicing or training for sports, what is your go to activity and why?

I love playing Kan Jam. I can’t remember the last time I lost a game.

What is your favorite football memory to date?

Winning the District Championship my freshman year. It was so rewarding because the hard work we put in. We also won back to back.

What is your favorite play to run?

Definitely an iso or power. Something up the gut so I can lower a shoulder.

What scares you the most?

Probably haunted houses. When Halloween rolls around my mom always makes me go to one and I dread it.

Music of choice:

Country

What was your favorite gift as a little boy? Why?

I got a poster of Tom Brady. It says “ if you don’t believe in yourself who’s gonna believe for you?”. I hung it up on my wall and every morning a get a great reminder of why I need to believe.

What restaurant is your go to when you need a big meal?

Dsopranos in walnutport for sure. It’s always reliable and they have great food.

What is your favorite vacation destination?

Ocean City MD

Do you remember what the first football game you saw was?

I believe it was a HS game at Northern Lehigh. We do youth nights and the kids line up along the field when we run out.

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