Do you need four running backs in a recruiting class? I guess that depends if all of the running backs will play running back or if they'll see time at other positions. Right now, Kenny Williams, Bradley Marquez, Ronnie Daniels and now DeAndre Washington are all running backs. Personally, I do subscribe to the "best player available" theory and all of these guys could play multiple positions, but the one common denominator is that they are all fast and from the beginning, Tuberville said that he wanted a fast team. It's only been 7 months, but so far, mission accomplished.
One other note. It's been confirmed that Delans Griffin, a 4-star running back from last year's class will not qualify. Leach always had at least one running back per class (I'm not considering Ben McRoy a running back, although that's where he played in high school) and as of right now, Texas Tech really only has 4 running backs on the roster. Batch (senior), Stephens (sophomore), Jeffers (sophomore) and Crawford (junior). With Stephens and Jeffers on the same track, Tuberville is doing well to restock that position. Now, if we can do the same thing with the offensive line, I'll feel much better.
Let's get to DeAndre.
The Measurables:
DeAndre Washington
Position: RB
DTN Profile
Video: Clip 1
Rivals Profile5.7
Scout Profile
ESPN Profile
Ht: 5'9"
Wt: 183 lbs
Forty: 4.47
High School: Marshall (Missouri City, TX)
Much more good, good after the jump.
The Player Speaks: I couldn't find anything, but if something comes up, I'll update this post.
UPDATE [Note by Seth C, 08/05/10 6:31 AM CDT ] LAJ's Don Williams talked with Washington about his recent commitment:
He narrowed his choices to Tech, Boise State and Oklahoma State. He said Tech had two things he liked: coaches with whom he connected and the potential for playing time at running back. Baron Batch will be a senior next year, and the Raiders’ incoming class is short at that position since February signee Delans Griffin didn’t qualify.
"I credit my relationship with coach (Chad) Scott, the running backs coach,’’ Washington said. "He was like a father figure-slash-brother. That really helped, and the running back situation is a great situation. I feel like I can come in and compete early.’’
Washington said he thinks his versatility helped make him a Division I recruit and Tech coaches indicated they might put that to use.
"It’s exciting,’’ he said of his possible role. "It’ll be a little bit of slot (receiver), a little bit of running back — anything to create space and create mismatches.
"It just feels like (the offense) fits me perfectly, so I’m ready to go with it.’’
Washington said he will meet freshman eligibility requirements since he carries a 3.2 grade-point average and scored 1,290 on the SAT.
Video:
DeAndre' Washington 2009-2010 "Junior" Highlights (via MrDwashington33)
[Note by Seth C, 01/01/11 5:57 AM CST ] Much thanks to RedRaider99 for posting and updating his own videos of Washington who got to see him live. Good stuff.
Scouting Report: Washington has moves and he's very quick on his feet. Very quick on his feet. To my very untrained eye, that offensive line is moving some people around and Washington is taking advantage of the situation. The other thing that stands out is that Washington is patient enough to give his line an opportunity, but son of a gun, when he gets his motor going, he's absolutely gone. Someone has already mentioned Taurean Henderson and I see that too. 24/7's Gerry Hamilton mentioned that the staff has already talked to him about playing running back, receiver, cornerback and a returner. Dave Campbell also thinks that Washington is one of the top 30 running backs in the state, along with Marquez and Williams (Daniels is the 2nd best player in New Mexico).
UPDATE [Note by Seth C, 08/04/10 7:44 PM CDT ] I meant to update this earlier this morning, but I did find a bit about Washintgon from Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Travis Stewart :
Washington to Texas Tech
Speaking of excellent classes, Texas Tech's is no slouch, either. If there's one thing Tommy Tuberville has proven he can do in his short tenure as head coach, it's recruit. The next in line is FB Marshall's DeAndre Washington, a highly-sought after athlete-type that we think will eventually stick at running back. His numbers last year were average — less than 700 rushing yards (but with a 7.63 YPC average) — but his real appeal is in his great leadership, work ethic and classroom presence. The kid is just an all-around A+, so the coaches won't have to worry about him down the road. If Tech is really going to try and get the run game up to about a 40 percent usage in the offense, recruiting kids to inherit the RB mantle down the road is critical. Washington is a great fit for that mold.
DeAndre, welcome to Texas Tech and Git Your Guns Up!
The 2011 Class:
| Position | Commitment | Ht/Wt | High School/State |
Rivals
|
Rivals Rating |
Scout
|
ESPN
|
ESPN Grade |
| QB | Michael Brewer | 6-0/175 | Lake Travis (Austin, TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 3 | 3 | 78 |
| RB | Kenny Williams | 5-10/210 | Hendrickson (Pflugerville, TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 4 | 4 | 80 |
| RB | Bradley Marquez | 5-11/180 | Odessa (Odessa, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 4 | 4 | 79 |
| WR | Derek Edwards | 6-1/163 | Brenham (Brenham, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | 3 | 79 |
| TE | Jace Amaro | 6-5/237 | MacArthur (San Antonio, TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 4 | 3 | 78 |
| OL | Tony Morales | 6-4/300 | Sam Houston (Arlington TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 3 | 3 | 78 |
| OL | Alfredo Morales | 6-3/287 | Sam Houston (Arlington TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | N/A | 45 |
| OL | Le'Raven Clark | 6-6/245 | Rockdale (Rockdale TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 4 | 3 | 79 |
| DL | James Castleman | 6-4/255 | Amarillo (Amarillo, TX) | N/A | N/A | 3 | 3 | 77 |
| DE | Kindred Evans | 6-6/215 | South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX) | N/A | N/A | 2 | 3 | 75 |
| DL/LB | Devon Hocutt | 6-0/260 | Ellison (Killeen, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 2 | 74 |
| LB | Terrell Hartsfield | 6-4/215 | Hargrave MA (Chatham, VA) | N/A | N/A | 3 | N/A | 45 |
| LB | Blake Dees | 6-0/234 | Spanish Fort (Spanish Fort, AL) | 3 | 5.5 | 2 | 2 | 73 |
| DB | Freddie Warner | 5-9/170 | L.G. Pinkston (Dallas, TX) | N/A | N/A | 2 | N/A | 45 |
| ATH | Ronnie Daniels | 6-1/195 | La Cueva (Albuquerque, NM) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 76 |
| ATH | LaDarrin Robertson | 6-3/215 | Longview (Longview, TX) | N/A | N/A | 3 | 3 | 77 |
| ATH | DeAndre Washington | 5-9/183 | Marshall (Missouri City, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | 3 | 78 |
| Averages | 2.35 | 4.02 | 3.05 | 2.47 | 71.52 |