Cincinnati (Ohio) Taft five-star defensive end Adolphus Washington is finally an Ohio State Buckeye.
Five-star Adolphus Washington, as expected, committed to Ohio State on Tuesday. It's the first five-star commitment for the Buckeyes in the 2012 class.
The future U.S. Army All-American announced his college decision on Tuesday morning during a press conference at his school, choosing the Buckeyes over his other finalists, Cincinnati and Michigan State.
Washington had long known he wanted to go to Ohio State, dating back to his first unofficial visit for the Miami game during the 2010 season.
“Just the tradition,” Washington said, telling 247Sports his decision on Monday night. “When I was up there on my very first visit, there was a fan, and he knew my name, and he called me out of all the recruits there to come to Ohio State. I loved that.”
Looks like fans at The Shoe will be calling Washington’s name for many years to come.
Ranked as the nation’s No. 2 weak-side defensive end and No. 21 prospect overall, Washington also had scholarship offers from the likes of Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon and USC.
“Just the tradition at Ohio State, and they put guys into the league,” Washington said, adding that the school’s academic support for athletes put the Buckeyes over the top.
“It’s the education part,” Washington continued. “I know all these schools athletically can offer me the same thing. The academic support at Ohio State, there is no way you can fail. Even if you’re giving minimal effort there is no way you can fail.”
As a senior, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Washington had 90 tackles, 23.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He had 54.5 sacks the last three seasons.
“The coaches said I have a good chance to come in and play early,” Washington said. “Their main defense they want to play is nickel, and it requires two rush ends, and right now they only have one.”
Washington admits he nearly became a Buckeye three months ago. He had a phone call setup with the Ohio State coaching staff to give his pledge to Coach Luke Fickell, but at the last second he decided to wait. Washington still wanted to take official visits, and he ended up taking trips to Michigan State (Oct. 15) and Cincinnati (Nov. 11), as well as Ohio State the weekend of the Wisconsin game.
“I wanted to see what other schools had to offer, and I got a look when I went on my officials,” Washington explained. “I think Ohio State has the best fit for me.”
Washington says that Ohio State will be the best fit for him no matter what coaching staff is running the program. Washington has talked with the current staff about a possible change down the road.
“I was talking to (assistant) Coach (John) Peterson a couple weeks ago,” Washington said. “He was saying there will never be anyone bigger than Ohio State. He was saying there will never be a person bigger than Ohio State. He was trying to say it was a unique place.
“The rumor is Urban Meyer is going to take the job. That will be a household name for Ohio State. He won down at Florida and he’s just a good coach.”
Ohio State led for Washington the entire process, and his father is happy to see the process end with a commitment to the Buckeyes.
“It’s real special to me, especially with him getting to play close to home and I can see him as much as I can,” Adolphus Washington Sr. said. “The environment there was pretty special to me and it’s always felt like home.”
Washington is the 15th commit for Ohio State in the class of 2012.
- Steve Wiltfong
- National Recruiting Writer - 247Sports