For Taft star, future starts on gridiron
By Cedric K. Brown ?
[email protected] ? August 23, 2010
With two seasons remaining in his high school career, Adolphus Washington has already made himself the cornerstone of both the football and basketball programs at Taft High School.
As a sophomore, Washington led the Senators in football on defense with 101 tackles, 14 sacks, and three fumble recoveries. On offense, he accounted for three touchdowns - two rushing and one receiving.
Last season, Washington led the basketball team to the Division III state quarterfinals with a team-high 16.4 points and 11 rebounds per game.
But with college decisions looming, Washington has made up his mind which direction he's heading.
"Football is my favorite sport," said Washington, a 6-foot-5, 246 pound junior. "It's more physical and that's how I am. In basketball I get picked on because I'm a lot stronger and more physical than a lot of the guys so I can't really be aggressive as I want to be. But in football I can be as aggressive as I want."
According to Taft coach Mike Martin, Washington will have plenty of options to consider.
"A lot of schools are waiting until Aug. 1 (of his senior year)," Martin said. "That's the day you can make offers to juniors. Everybody is telling me when that day rolls around he'll probably have about 40 offers. I mean 40 legitimate offers on paper."
Earlier this year, the NCAA changed the rule so that football players must wait until Aug. 1 before their senior year to receive a written Division I offer. In previous years, written offers could be extended Sept. 1 of a player's junior year.
On the night of Taft's first team practice, Washington revealed his early college preferences - Ohio State, Notre Dame and Kentucky. He says right now the Buckeyes are his top choice.
"I grew up watching OSU," said Washington, who has a 3.5 grade point average. "I would love to play for them."
