David Washington’s preliminary curiosity in Notre Dame replicates the scale of the poster the Irish despatched him Sept. 1 — the first-day coaches may contact 2024 recruits.
“It was large,” Washington mentioned. “It was large. I didn’t know precisely what it was, however it was like a recruiting factor — a recruiting board.”
The Rivals250 vast receiver from Las Vegas Arbor View Excessive didn’t hear something from Notre Dame after that … till final Friday.
Notre Dame vast receivers coach Chansi Stuckey stopped by Washington’s highschool to assemble details about the 6-foot, 185-pound junior to shut out the January contact interval. And after a follow-up dialog with Stuckey, Notre Dame sparked the curiosity of the four-star pass-catcher.
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“I imply, it is a large one,” Washington instructed Inside ND Sports activities. “(Stuckey) speaking in regards to the folks he’s supplied, about relationships. Hitting nearly each level. It was a very good dialog. It’s a variety of pleasure with this supply.”
Ranked by Rivals because the No. 230 total participant and No. 34 vast receiver in 2024, Washington reviews 26 scholarship affords. On Dec. 23, he unveiled a high 11, comprising Oregon State, UCLA, Utah, Texas A&M, Michigan State, California, UNLV, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss and Oregon.
Up to now, Washington has unofficially visited Arizona, Michigan, Michigan State, Ole Miss, UCLA and Utah, in addition to stops at Alabama and Clemson — two faculties but to supply. That willingness to see faculties on his dime doesn’t rule out a go to to Notre Dame, particularly with household connections close to South Bend.
Washington’s mom grew up in Chicago and purchased her first home in Gary, Ind. He spent his youth in Houston earlier than transferring to Las Vegas about 5 years in the past. In his household travels, they haven’t had a lot cause to return to his mom’s roots, however visiting Notre Dame may function a very good excuse.
“My mother is aware of the realm,” he mentioned. “She is aware of the states up there very effectively. We truly do have a bit of little bit of household that also lives up in Chicago. So this wouldn’t be a international — for me, it would — however for my mother, no.”
However Washington received’t go to Notre Dame on a whim.
Relationships are a serious a part of his recruitment, which is why he’s been to UCLA twice — tied for essentially the most of any college. Washington has a superb relationship with Bruins vast receivers coach Jerry Neuheisel, who treats him like he’s already a Bruin. And that’s what Washington will probably be searching for from Stuckey.
“Mainly them telling me what my future is there,” Washington mentioned. “Them seeing me applied of their offense. Seeing me of their locker room and workforce conferences. Simply understanding that I’ve that chance to return there and compete. …
“So if he can undoubtedly match the connection and construct a relationship, I don’t need to go wherever the place I don’t know what I’m moving into or I don’t belief my place coach, which is who I’ll be with always. So simply having the ability to belief and know I’ve that assist from my place coach.”
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Of their first dialog, Stuckey didn’t element Washington’s positional match at Notre Dame. Nevertheless, Washington describes himself as an “X receiver” — the vast receiver lined up furthest from the ball.
Whereas taking part in that function for Arbor View final season, Washington caught 52 passes for 836 yards and 7 touchdowns in 11 video games. He additionally had 11 carries for 74 yards and one rating. In accordance with Washington, he additionally excels at doing the soiled work.
“I’m not scared to dam,” he mentioned. “At Arbor View, our coach enforces that if you need the ball, you’re going to dam. You’re not simply going to catch the ball. You’re going to work for it.”
That mindset was a message he shared with Stuckey.
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“I instructed coach this as effectively,” he mentioned. “You want me to dam. I’ll block. You want me to return assault that ball on a comeback, fade, streak or dig. I can try this as effectively. So, I’m fairly versatile in the case of that receiver place. Simply at that X place, I see myself at that.”
Though Notre Dame has beforehand supplied 19 vast receivers in 2024, Stuckey’s subsequent steps with Washington present appreciable curiosity. He took down Washington’s mom’s full identify and cellphone quantity. And a extra detailed cellphone name with the three of them is predicted sooner or later.
After that, the Irish ought to cement themselves as a legit choice for Washington.
“After I do get an opportunity to let mother know, she will certainly have a variety of questions,” he mentioned. “With this being a spot she’s lived earlier than — she’ll be excited. And that’ll be my subsequent factor — getting mother within the loop of this.”
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