Our Honor Defend

I’m a bit tired from writing long and rambling posts, so I’ll make this one a little brief.  With just a few moments before the declaration deadline ahead of him, Donald Washington announced that he will forgo his senior season and go pro.  He joins Beanie and The Hartline as other early exits.

The story of Donald Washington’s career at Ohio State will feature some highlights and lowlights.  The highs include being a prominent one of several low-rated recruits given a chance at Ohio State, only to shine beyond expectations.  The lows include… well… weed (allegedly) and the two game suspension at the beginning of 2008 (allegedly) for it.  In his junior and final season at Ohio State, Washington was arguably one-upped on the gridiron by Chimdi Chekwa.  Chekwa was often times listed the starter at the position, ahead of the veteran Washington.

With Washington’s departure comes an interesting, if somewhat precarious, situation for the Ohio State secondary.  Absent Jenkins and Washington, Ohio State will have one returning cornerback (Chekwa) with any tangible experience at the position.  But with said precarious situation comes the perfect opportunity for a RS freshman like Travis Howard, true jammer and bruiser, to make a name for himself alongside his HS teammate Etienne Sabino (a possible lock at middle linebacker in 2009).  Further, there’s a lot of incoming recruits — such as Corey Brown (now with a new 5-star smell), Dominic Clarke and CJ Barnett — to compete for the position as well.  If anything, intense competition for playing time may be exactly what Ohio State needs moving forward.  The conversation need not be limited to just the 2008 and 2009 recruits, as Andre Amos and Devon Torrence will get a shot as well.

Indeed, Washington’s exit may finally usher in the beginning of The Donnie Evege Experience.

Are you experienced?