How do you stand out on defensive lines that feature NFL draft picks such as John Simon and Michael Bennett, a future NFL selection in Noah Spence and a consensus first-team All-American in Joey Bosa?
That question has hung over the head of Ohio State defensive tackle Adolphus Washington his entire career. It took him four years to find the answer.
Washington came to Columbus as one of the crown jewels of Urban Meyer’s first recruiting class in 2012. Rated a 5-star defensive end and Ohio’s No. 1 high school prospect, per 247Sports, he joined an Ohio State team with a big skill set, but the expectations he carried were even bigger.
Spence and Bennett hogged the spotlight early in Washington’s career before Bosa showed up as a true freshman and took his spot in the starting rotation.
Over the last two seasons, Washington played a complementary role as superstars emerged around him. He didn’t bring the intensity in practice, he’d take plays off during games and he doubted whether the fans or coaches wanted him in Columbus, according to Bill Landis of the Plain Dealer.
But the former defensive end turned tackle is bringing a new focus and energy to the field during his senior season.
“Everybody wants to have the type of year that I’m having right now,” Washington said, via Landis. “I would’ve much rather had done this early on in my career, my sophomore year. I just didn’t have all my stuff together. I feel like everything is finally starting to come…
Continue Reading: How Ohio State’s Adolphus Washington Has Transformed into Potential 1st-Rounder
