'13 DE Devin Washington

[Jr]

Teammates with current commit Kermit Whitfield at Jones HS in Orlando. He's very high on us and should be a Cane if he's offered. He already attended JR day here. He currently has offers from Cincinnati, FIU and UCF. He's listed at 6'3", 225 lbs.

Sophomore Film


Junior Film


He's def a kid that will get used in the same role as Terry and McCord for us if he ends up here.

The positives are obvious. He's got a nice little 1st step, he sheds his blockers quickly and he got a great burst and closes on the QB in a hurry. Physically, hes got a good bit of talent as a pass rusher. He seems to have pretty good functional strength and does a good job of wrapping guys up. He's pretty physical and does have a little mean streak in him.

Now the bad, for a kid that would have to stand up a good bit in our system, he looks pretty slow in pursuit of ball carriers and lateral movements. He's got some stiffness in his hips and doesn't change direction particularly well. I can't judge his coverage because there literally isn't any one clip in his JR film that shows him doing it but judging by what I've seen of him, he looks like a kid that would struggle cover wise from a physical standpoint.

He's got enough pass rushing talent to find a niche for us but there's much better options out there ATM. Hi's best bet is as a situational rusher in a pure 4-3 defense with his hand in the dirt. He's got some talent but he's also got a fair share of flaws. He's a mid tier 3 star but with proper development and in the right system he could be a BCS level contributor.

[CaneLB]

I disagree completely. This is a stud edge player and I don't know what our staff is thinking to wait to offer. His 1st step is good, he runs the arc very well (efficient footwork), he has elite flexibility/knee bend (4 point stance and hitting), he has elite upper body power and strength despite a skinny, small frame, and he plays angry.

I don't know if he can play in coverage but that would be a waste of his talent. He thrives on contact, especially when he's outside shade of the T or TE. His speed is average and his frame is below-average but other than that he's a complete beast. I can easily see him outproducing McCord and Terry by making more impact plays.

This is the type of kid that would be a waste in Shannon's defense but is perfectly suited for what we're trying to run under Golden. We better get him.

[Jr]

I agree with most of your post actually. That's what makes him a 3* prospect and worth BCS offes IMO.

The last paragraph is what I don't agree with. I think he's much more suited in a situational role in as a pass rusher off the edge in a Shannon type system than as a stand up rush backer in odd fronts. He's a very one dimensional prospect, with physical limitations and he's small to boot. That's not 4* material IMO.

What he does he does very well but I'm just not the type give out high grades for one trick ponies that potentially has the glaring deficiencies it looks like he could have in other areas.

[CaneLB]

I agree that he's a "1 trick pony" but I'm not at all opposed to giving a 5.9 grade to a kid who's exceptional at a very valuable skill. Having a physical, quick edge rusher of Washington's caliber is huge for a defense. Obviously McCord is a more complete player and even Terry shows more overall athleticism to play in space, but Washington can play the run and pass equally well, he just needs to be close to the LOS (BUCK position like in Muschamp's system). If Muschamp doesn't offer this kid he should UF fans should occupy the Swamp.

[CaneLB]

Twitter

Smart kid

[CaneLB]

Devin Washington tangles with big Laremy Tunsi, and wins at Orlando NFTC : Devin Washington tangles with big Laremy Tunsi, and wins at Orlando NFTC - Orlando Sentinel

Reading articles like this is depressing...we need to offer this kid.