Texas Tech University Athletics
Washington Makes His Comeback
October 09, 2014 | Football
Washington ranks second in the Big 12 (min. 50 carries) averaging 5.4 yards/rush this season
Oct. 9, 2014
BY SARAH McDOWELL
Special to TexasTech.com
DeAndre Washington finally had his moment to shine in his first start as a Red Raider. Little did he know, it would be his last for almost two years.
Washington tore his ACL during the Missouri game in 2011. Eric Stephens suffered the same injury earlier in the year to give Washington his opportunity, but it was gone just as fast. He was able to sum up the whole experience in one word, devastating.
The months following the injury were filled with early morning treatments and rehab to get him back to where he was. An injury of this severity is hard to come back from, but that wasn't going to stop Washington.
"A lot of players don't come back from that injury," running back coach Mike Jinks said. "Especially a running back."
Washington was determined to not only come back, but also come back better than before. Teammates and coaches noted his commitment and work ethic. Kenny Williams said anyone could see Washington's perseverance and motivation to come back as fast as he could.
Most athletes at some point have heard some variation of the saying, "If talent doesn't hustle, hustle beats talent." DeAndre Washington is the outcome of what happens when talent does hustle.
Even though Washington wasn't on board with the idea of redshirting his sophomore year at first, it gave him another season to work on getting better. As much as he wanted to play during the 2012 season, Washington decided it was the best choice for him and the team.
"If I couldn't contribute to the team then it didn't make sense to go out there," Washington said of his second season at Tech - his first after the injury. "I think redshirting was the best thing that could have happened to me."
All of his hard work and dedication seemed to pay off during the 2013 season. Even though last season was "sub-par" according to Washington, he had 485 rushing and 269 receiving yards. Washington said during every workout and practice this summer, all he could think about was his "sub-par" season last year.
It's just a testimony to how he was able to work throughout the spring and throughout the summer to get to this point," Jinks said. "Not only physically but mentally as well. It was a tough road back.
On a normal day, after practice is over, the team heads to the locker room. That's the routine for most of the players except Washington. He stays after to continue working on drills by himself.
"That's just maturity, and I'm not going to tell our young guys to go do it," Jinks said. "My hope is they watch and see for themselves that he's having such a great year, and they want to emulate him."
The best leaders lead by example, and that's exactly what Washington does. Not only by his work ethic, but his mentality as well. Williams was motivated by Washington to be the best football player he could be. He said Washington is a tough competitor and he looks up to him for that.
Through five games this season, Washington leads the Red Raiders with 60 rushing attempts, 326 yards and 65.2 rushing yards per game. In fact, Washington ranks second in the Big 12 in rushing yards/attempt (5.4) for all players with at least 50 attempts.
Jinks said Washington is without a doubt the leader of the running backs as well as the leader of the offense right now.
All of Washington's hard work is going towards one thing, winning a Big 12 Championship. He just wants to be a factor the offense in any way possible to obtain that goal. Washington said he is always ready when his number is called to contribute to the offense wherever he can.
Jinks believes Red Raider fans will see Washington go from playing Saturdays to Sundays after his days at Texas Tech are over. He has the skill set to play at that level, and he already practices like a pro according to Jinks. Jinks isn't the only one who sees the fire within Washington though.
"Lining up at linebacker right across from him," Williams said, "you can just see it in his eyes that he wants to be great."
