Kentucky’s newest quarterback pledge already sounds like a player who has made up his mind.
Cajon High School sophomore QB QB Washington, a 6-foot, 165-pound prospect from San Bernardino, California, verbally committed last week to play for Will Stein at Kentucky, saying the Wildcats checked every box that mattered to him. Washington, who has offers from Kentucky, Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, North Carolina, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Utah, Vanderbilt, SMU and Hawaii, said the combination of Stein, offensive coach Joe Sloan and quarterback coach Nate Dodson made the decision simple.
“Me and my dad and agent were talking and I told them I don’t see myself playing anywhere except for Stein, (offensive coach Joe) Sloan and (quarterback coach Nate) Dodson,” Washington said. “Knowing who they put out (in the NFL) and how well they coach and then you bring them all to one school, that makes it easy for me to commit to Kentucky.”
Washington is listed as a three-star prospect for now, though that’s only because 2029 recruits can’t be ranked any higher yet. When his class is updated, he’ll immediately move into four-star territory.
The Kentucky staff has been on him for a while. Sloan offered him in May after visiting his school, Washington came to a UK camp in June, and he later returned for an unofficial visit when Kentucky hosted Alabama. He’s set to be back in Lexington on Oct. 10 when LSU visits Kentucky.
He also followed Kentucky’s 31-21 win at Texas A&M, even if he wasn’t there in person.
“I know in the second half that Kentucky kept running up the score,” he said.
Washington said he was originally supposed to attend the Texas-Texas A&M game on Nov. 27, but that trip is off now.
“I knew Kentucky was where I wanted to be before they beat Texas A&M,” Washington said. “The coaches were very happy when I told them. They said they were fired up and could sleep way better knowing I am going to be a Wildcat.
“I told my friends that I wanted to play in the SEC and what a fun environment that is to be in. I also want to be on that side of the country. The SEC is hardest in all of college football and I like the competition
On the field, Washington has already put up eye-catching numbers. Last season he passed for 2,235 yards with 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while adding 681 rushing yards and nine more scores on 91 carries. Through four games this year, he had already topped 1,300 passing yards with eight touchdowns and added five rushing scores.
“I definitely have gotten better but I know there are still a lot of things I can do better,” Washington, who carries between a 3.8-4.0 grade-point average, said.
His athletic background stretches well beyond football. Washington grew up playing baseball, basketball and swimming, and he recently gave up basketball to focus entirely on football. He also ran track and was timed at 11.7 seconds in the 100 meters as a freshman.
His family was thrilled by the commitment, even if his friends didn’t see it coming.
“My family is really excited. I didn’t really tell my friends that I was going to commit early like it did.
None of them were expecting it,” he said. “Kentucky probably pushed the hardest of any school.
Arizona was probably next and was also in touch with me a lot.
“I know it is early to commit and I probably will still take some calls (from coaches) but I am definitely sold on Kentucky. I can’t see that changing.”
247Sports scouting director Andrew Ivins gave Washington a strong endorsement, pointing to his mobility, quick release and ability to operate outside the pocket.
“Can gash defenses as a runner and has proven to be a rather crafty distributor on the move. Accuracy tends to vary, but can get the ball out fast.
Will drop the elbow and find different launch points, but has to get more consistent with his mechanics,” Ivins wrote. “Tough for rushers to bring down in the pocket with his awareness and agility.”
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