Three-star sets four visits
Three-star defensive end Tony Washington (6-4, 235, 4.7) from Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Los Osos is beginning to narrow things down and is setting visits.
"I have set four visits," Washington said. "They are to UTEP on September 12th, Oregon on October 3rd, Arizona on October 24th and Oregon State November 14th."
Advertisement
Washington talks about and gives his reasons why these lucky four school will get visits.
"UTEP was my first offer and they were the first ones to believe that I have a D-I talent," Washington said. "I really like Coach DeChon Burns a lot. He's really down to earth.
"With Oregon, I really like coach Nick Aliotti and the way they play defense," Washington said. "I also like their uniforms and the NIKE connection, but that's not the reason that I'm visiting.
"Arizona is a good young football team and I have a chance of going there and playing early," Washington said. "Coach Tim Kish was also an early believer.
"Oregon State is another school that I can play early," Washington said. "I like how Oregon State's defensive ends run and how (defensive line coach) Joe Seumalo lets his defensive ends use their athleticism."
Does Washington have any schools in mind for his fifth and final visit?
"I'm going to save my last visit for a possible late comer that may offer during my senior season," Washington said. "One more thing, I'm going to choose a school that appreciates my talents and character."
Washington recently took in a UCLA practice.
"UCLA's practice was really cool," Washington said. "I want to see what an actual college practice was like so I know what to expect next summer."
Los Osos' head coach Tom Martinez feels his young edge player has the qualities required to be a D-I college player.
"Tony is very explosive off the ball and he has a long lean body that D-I schools like," Martinez said. "He has a tremendous wingspan and has the speed to down the ball carrier on the backside."
Besides being an outstanding football player, Washington gets it done in the classroom, too. He carries a 3.5 GPA. In the weight room, his current bench is 270, he has improved his squats to 455, recorded a 40-inch vertical and has run a 4.4 shuttle.
As a junior, Washington earned first-team all-league and first-team all-county after accounting for 45 tackles, 11 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Washington earned a spot on the Rivals.com California Preseason Top 100 team for the class of 2009 landing as the Golden State's No. 74 prospect at any position.