Gator Prospectus: DB Nick Washington

This is the third profile in the Gator Prospectus series covering Florida’s 2013 in-state commits.

Name: Nick Washington
Committed: Feb. 18
School: Jacksonville Trinity Christian
Position: Defensive back
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 183 pounds
Scouting Report: Washington is an athlete first and foremost. He’s a two-way player for his high school team and will play baseball at Florida. When you see him in street clothes, he doesn’t come across as an intimidating defensive back. Once he hits the field with his pads on, however, he looks — and plays — the part. He’s a ball hawk in the secondary that can play either safety or cornerback. Washington has the athleticism to cover man-to-man and is physical enough to press at the line of scrimmage. But his acceleration, anticipation and ability to break on the ball make him perfect for zone schemes, which is why he’s projected as a safety at the next level. Washington has some serious ups and will win most jump-ball matchups with wide receivers, but he also can lay them out with his jarring hits. That being said, he’s got a lanky frame and needs to add more strength to improve at wrapping up and tackling in the box for run support.
For The Game: Class 3A Jacksonville Trinity Christian made the short but challenging trip to Class 8A Jacksonville Sandalwood, home of Alabama defensive end commit DeMarcus Walker. There was a down pour in the game’s opening minutes and the two teams finished with 14 combined fumbles. Washington was a key component of Trinity Christian’s offense as he carried the ball all night and gave his team a 7-0 lead in the last minute of the second quarter with a three-yard touchdown run. Washington and his teammates blitzed Sandalwood quarterback Parker Boehme throughout the second half and he had one of the worst statistical performances of his career. The Duke commit went 3-of-16 for 24 yards and one interception, which was made by Washington with 3:06 left in the game to seal the 13-7 upset win.
Video: Click HERE for my interview with Washington after the game.
Quotable: “He made some big plays. He always does. He’s a great leader, and above that he’s a great kid. I’m telling you, Florida is really getting a wonderful player. He’s so self-conscious about playing as hard as he can and doing as well as he can. He plays both sides of the ball and he’s been starting since the eight grade at safety. Of course he’s an incredible athlete, but he’s a very smart athlete. You seldom see him get beat because he really knows down and distance, where he is on the field and what he’s gonna get from offenses based on their formation. In four years, I can’t ever remember him just blowing a play and giving up a big touchdown. He’s always in the right area. Nick ranks right up there with the best I’ve coached in my 22 years at Trinity. We’re lucky to have him and so is Florida.” — Trinity Christian coach Verlon Dorminey
Notable: A consensus a four-star prospect; competed in the Orlando Nike Football Training Camp and The Opening; will play in the Army All-American Bowl in Januar; ranked No. 11 positionally and No. 136 overall by ESPN, ranked No. 11 positionally and No. 118 overall by Rivals.

For a recap of the top performances in Week 3 by members of Florida’s 2013 class, click HERE.

Up next week on the Gator Prospectus: UF defensive lineman commit Joey Ivie.