In 2020, Rosemount junior [player_tooltip player_id="116486" first="Jayden" last="Washington"] didn’t start as a big part of the Irish game plan. As the season went on, he went from a rotational player to a big part of the game plan. He became a guy who rarely came off the field when the Irish had the ball. During the season, he would play three different positions – including one he had never played before. This spring, he has started to hear from programs at the next level.
"I did good with the position I was in – rotating with [player_tooltip player_id="22932" first="Christian" last="Graske"] and <strong>Terence Campbell</strong>," Washington said. "I feel like I helped the team. I switched from tailback to fullback when [player_tooltip player_id="23691" first="Charlie" last="Barnick"] got hurt."
During the year, Washington played tailback, fullback, and wide receiver.
"It would depend on the formation. At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t on the field much. Halfway through the season, I was on the field most of the time on offense."
The team went undefeated.
"We did great," Washington said. "I feel like we wouldn’t have had the COVID situation; we would have gone to State."
"On offense, we ran and passed the ball well," Washington continued. "We could switch off between those. On defense, teams didn’t pass on us much, but our run defense was amazing."
Usually a running back, Washington quickly adapted to his new responsibilities.
"It was natural. I would play receiver in the summertime, so that wasn’t a big adjustment. At fullback, it was more blocking and learning where to be at certain times and combo blocking with the linemen."
The 5’9" 190-pound junior doesn’t mess around when he gets his opportunities.
"I find a hole and go with it," Washington told prepredzonemn.com. "I don’t go side to side much. I am a powerful runner. I can catch the ball, and I am also a good blocker – my blocking is key."
Washington focuses on football all year round.
"I am working on my footwork and reading defenses. I have a trainer that I work with in the winter and spring. We start with speed work and footwork. Then we will switch to lifting. We do a lot of different lifts and switch between high and low weights."
College programs are beginning to reach out to Washington.
"Recruiting has been going well. I have received interest from a lot of different schools. I am starting to get going on visits. I have been to Bemidji State, and I plan on visiting Minnesota-Duluth. I don’t know about any of the others. I am still setting up the camps I am going to go to."
Washington – who likes to work on his skills as a rapper when he is not working on his skills on the football field – could be playing at the next level at one of two positions.
"I am being recruited mostly as a running back, but some schools see me as a receiver," Washington said. "They like how I run and can get downfield. They like that I am a powerful runner."
Not bad for a guy who nine months ago was not a big part of the game plan.
