Notre Dame DB Target Woodi Washington Shines On And Off The Field
Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland standout Woodi Washington may be rated by Rivals as the No. 6 cornerback in the class of 2019, but Oakland head coach Kevin Creasy said using him just in the defensive backfield would be a disservice to the sport of football.
“We never want to be caught losing a ball game with one of our best 11 players on the sideline,” Creasy said. “If that means Woodi is going to be out punt returner, he’s going to return punts. If he’s going to be our kick returner, he’s going to return kicks. If he plays offense, we know we’ve got a guy out there with great speed and wonderful ball skills.”
Of course, Washington is one of the best cornerbacks in the class of 2019, and Creasy said that success is largely owed to the work ethic the four-star has displayed throughout his playing career.
“You’re getting a kind of guy that’s’ always the first on the practice field and always the last to leave,” Creasy said. “I don’t know of a single time he’s missed agilities or missed a single time in the weight room.”
That sort of effort combined with Washington’s physical gifts, has given Oakland quite the player at their disposal.
“He’s just built for the position,” Creasy said. “He’s lean and really fast, and one thing that you notice is he’s got great length but he’s also got great quickness. A lot of times speed and quickness don’t go together, but he’s got the quickness and the burning speed.”
Notre Dame obviously wants Washington for what he can do on the field, but the Irish are prioritizing him just as much based on his performances in the classroom.
“He’s a high character kid who comes from a good family and is always doing well with academics,” Creasy explained. “Then you flip to over to athletics, and he’s a competitor. He’s the kind of guy that’s going to die trying a lot of times. He’s going to give it all he’s got on the practice field because every day is a competition for him.”
Even with all that, the physical gifts, the work ethic and the academic success Creasy said Washington has stayed humble throughout the entire process, which might just be the best trait about him.
“He’s such a natural leader that guys always gravitate to him,” Creasy said. “That’s probably his best quality. He’s not just a leader, but people gravitate toward him. He’s going to be a good defensive back in college, but he’s also going to be one of those guys who helps whatever university he goes to recruit players.”
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