Recruiting Report: Jadon Washington (2019)

Things didn't go as planned this season for <strong>Jadon Washington</strong>. His Hopkins Royals struggled through a one-win season and – partially because of injury - Washington himself didn't have the kind of year he was hoping for. Despite the struggles, Washington has picked up recruiting interest, is healthy and is ready for a break out senior season. Washington felt the constant on the team was on the defensive side of the ball. "Our run defense has been good over the years," Washington said, "but last year nobody could run the ball on us at all. We rarely got scored on on the ground." Washington felt his own performance was below his standards. "The whole offense was just a little off last year. I had an average year," Washington admitted. "I had turf toe most of the year. I got injured during the third game of the year. It never really healed until after the season. I was never able to get my confidence in myself up because it was hard to stride or step without being hurt. I just tried to play through it." Even injured – Washington was a focal point of the offense. "My role was to be an X-factor," NFN's 37th ranked senior said. "I can do a little bit of everything for the offense – catch the ball, run the ball. We had a good back up running back, so the coaches started to move me around." Washington would line up in the backfield and out wide. "I think I am better out of the backfield," Washington said, "but if I can get the ball in space I can work from there." After the season – it took three months for Washington to get back to full strength. Unable to play a winter sport, Washington spent his winter in the weight room. In the spring he was on the rugby team. As far as football goes, Washington wants to play with more intensity and confidence next year. This summer he has picked up more recruiting interest than he expected. "Because the season didn't go the way I wanted it to go; I didn't show my full potential," Washington explained, "but recruiting has been better than I expected it to be.' "Recruiting has been stressful, but it has been fun," the 5'11" 178-pound athlete continued. "Nobody in my family has ever been through this. It has all been new." Minnesota State Mankato, University of Mary and Minnesota State Moorhead have all extended offers to the Royals' soon to be senior. Bemidji State and South Dakota have also shown interest in Washington. All his offers came shortly after Washington attended a camp. "I felt underestimated," Washington said of the camps. "I felt like I had to prove myself and that I had something to prove when I got there. Once I proved it the schools took notice." "The first thing they see is my speed," Washington continued. "They also like my aggression. I guess I play with a certain aggression they like in a running back – like in pass protection and running the ball. They like that I am not scared." The 2017 season did not go the way Washington envisioned. It did not go as well as he hoped. Recruiting has not been going like Washington envisioned – it has gone better.