Gators offer, lead for top DB

Safety Pha' Terrell Washington has approximately 15 offers including his most recent one received a couple of weeks ago from an SEC school. In fact, his latest offer is one of the ones he was waiting for and the talented defensive back is now listing this SEC power as his favorite.

The Waldorf (Md.) Westlake prospect picked up his most recent offer from Florida.

"I loved it, I mean it was pretty much a shock to me," he said. "That's a big-time school, I used to love when I was little and growing up. It was tight that they gave me an offer. I still like them and their style of football, spreading out the field and throwing the ball. Urban Meyer is a nice bonus there too."

Washington made an appearance at the Elite College Combine, but pulled a hamstring during practice.

With the evaluation period in full swing, Washington has received visits from pretty much every school on the East Coast including Virginia, Miami and more. The prospect hasn't seen much in the way of phone calls. He's gotten two so far, from Maryland and Florida.

"I talked to both of them and it's all sort of the same stuff," he said. "They just want to check in with me about their school."

Washington did mention his favorite schools.

"Right now I would have to say Florida is the leader right now, followed by Maryland and Virginia Tech," he said. "Florida because I've always liked them with the Gators, the Swamp and the crowd, I like the whole environment there. I like Maryland because they were the first ones to offer me and that was one of my dream teams growing up, not for football, but basketball with Juan Dixon. I like Virginia Tech because of Michael Vick and his brother and Kevin Jones."

Washington is expecting to make his decision sometime after his senior football season. As for next year, he is looking to improve a lot before he heads off to college.

"I'm trying to improve my whole football game next year," he said. "Work on my catching, speed and agility and that'll all help me as a player. As for the team, I just want them to come back and play as one whole unit with no leaks. I want everybody to be on the same page and do what's needed to be done."

This summer the safety is looking to attend camps at perhaps Maryland and Virginia Tech.

Washington has seen interest for both defensive back and wide receiver. Does the prospect have a preference?

"I would say defensive back," he said. "I just like playing defense a lot."

Washington was named first team all-conference and first team all-Southern Maryland as he ran for 608 yards and 10 touchdowns. He added 175 yards receiving and a touchdown, 17 tackles, five interceptions and seven deflected passes.