Iowa football: Could Terrell Washington Jr. be Swiss Army knife for Hawkeyes’ offense?

IOWA CITY — In a flash, Terrell Washington Jr. showcased his playmaking ability.

During the Kids’ Day at Kinnick open practice on Saturday, Washington Jr. took a handoff from quarterback Brendan Sullivan, put his foot in the turf and whizzed through the line. Once reaching the secondary, Washington Jr. set up a spin move and put a defender in a blender.

Washington Jr. lined up for that play at running back. This is notable, and not only because he clearly has some flair to his game. But also the fact that where he was lined up actually needs to be specified.

Because Washington Jr. wasn’t solely at the running back position on Saturday. He also spent time split out at receiver. The way Washington Jr. was utilized during Saturday’s open practice illustrates the versatility he can bring to the offense.

“He’s a great athlete,” running back Kamari Moulton said of Washington Jr. “He really knows how to do both. He’s the best of both worlds.”

Washington Jr. began his Iowa career as a running back. But leading up to the 2024 season, Iowa decided to expand his responsibilities. 

“It just popped up one day after we had practice,” Washington Jr. said in April. “I caught a (few) balls from the backfield and they liked that I could move and they wanted to try me out. So I just said, ‘Yeah, I’m down for whatever.’”

Playing receiver is not entirely new to Washington Jr. In fact, he was sort of a jack of all trades offensively at Wylie East High School in Texas, where he played quarterback, running back, receiver and even contributed in the return game.

It wasn’t a direct path for Washington Jr. to end up at Iowa. He was originally committed to Purdue. But in December of 2022, Jeff Brohm left the Boilermakers to take the head coaching job at Louisville. Shortly after, Washington Jr. reopened his recruitment. That’s when Iowa running backs coach Ladell Betts swooped in.

Said Betts: “Once I watched the tape and I saw he had such a broad skillset with running receiver, quarterback, running back, I knew he kinda fit something different that we didn’t have in the room, I felt like, at the moment. Which is a guy that can do a little bit of everything, and that was what drew me to him.”

Iowa was able to get him on campus. A moment during that visit also put to bed a potential hesitation on the Hawkeyes’ end — as explained by Director of recruiting Tyler Barnes:

“The thing I liked the most when we get kids up here is we go to the photo shoot in Kinnick Stadium, right, because then you really get to see body types on kids,” Barnes said. “I know that may sound weird, but it’s true. You get to see what they really look like because they come in with big jackets and hoodies on. Like, you can’t really see everything. And our biggest thing was, ‘Hey, how big is he actually?’ When he gets here, you still don’t see it, but once he puts on the jersey, I texted Ladell immediately like, ‘This kid’s is going to be all right.’ Like ‘I think we’re fine.’”

Now in preparation for his redshirt freshman season, Washington Jr. has been working with both receivers and running backs. At receiver, he said he has been playing more slot, but “if they need me outside, I’ll go do it.” So not only has Washington Jr. been getting used to new offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s system, but doing so at multiple positions.

“He just has an incredible approach,” Iowa wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr said. “And he’s a guy that you want to be around every day because his attitude is just awesome. He’s continued to work the skills within this receiver position. You’ve seen him progress. Each and every day he gets a little bit better. He does something that is like, man, that’s what we emphasized in the meeting and he got it and did it.”

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Video: Iowa WR coach Jon Budmayr trying to build consistency in room

Wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr discusses a variety of topics at Iowa football media day on August 9, 2024.

To contribute to the narrative of being a Swiss Army knife, Washington Jr. brings up a name: 

Deebo.

“They’ve been comparing me to Deebo a lot lately,” Washington Jr. said at Iowa football media day on Aug. 9.

That would be Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers. Samuel has established himself as one of the NFL’s most versatile offensive players — with an ability to make plays both running and receiving the ball. It’d be an extreme exaggeration to say that Washington Jr. is even close to the level of one of the NFL’s premier players. But it’s reasonable to draw parallels based on skillset.

Iowa is loaded at running back entering the season. But the unfortunate reality of football is that injuries happen. Iowa’s running backs room was hit by them last season — including Kaleb Johnson and Jaziun Patterson missing time. 

More: Leistikow: A Kaleb Johnson resurgence would stave off quarterback panic for Iowa football

More: Iowa football: Can Jon Budmayr erase skepticism, revive Hawkeyes’ wide receivers?

The Hawkeyes’ receiving corps has a lot to prove. That position group, now under the direction of Budmayr, has been a sore spot for Iowa the last few seasons. Iowa will be shorthanded for the season opener as Kaleb Brown serves a suspension for his June OWI arrest.

The point is, having someone you can plug into multiple spots on offense is a luxury. True freshman Brevin Doll, a speedster who came to Iowa as a running back, is also working with receivers.

“Contributor,” Washington Jr. said of what he expects his role to be in 2024. “Just wherever they need me, I’m gonna go in. And whenever I get my chance, I’m gonna handle business.”

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com