BREAKING: Georgia Lands 5-star TE Darnell Washington
Georgia’s 2020 recruiting class just landed another 5-star prospect.
One of the nation’s top prospects, Desert Pines (NV) star Darnell Washington, picked Georgia over Tennessee, Alabama and Miami, among others, at the Under Armour All-American game Thursday in Orlando.
As Dawg Post has reported since July, the Bulldogs have been in great position to land the elite tight end. That’s exactly how it played out in the end. Washington signed his letter of intent papers with Georgia during the early signing period. He kept his decision quiet until making his public announcement Thursday night.
Sources tell Dawg Post that Washington committed to Georgia silently three different times during his recruitment, and while the Vols made it interesting towards the end, it was the long-time favorite Bulldogs who were able to land his signature.
Washington visited Georgia multiple times this year, with his late July visit really turning things in the Bulldog’s favor. Washington took his official visit to Georgia when the Bulldogs hosted Notre Dame the weekend of the 21st. Insiders say Washington spent lots of time with quarterback commitment Carson Beck during his visit, and the two were seen hanging out both in the stands and on the field prior to kickoff.
Washington made it back to Athens again for a surprise visit on November 23, and then had his in-home visit with Kirby Smart, Todd Hartley and Dell McGee the evening of December 9.
So what will Washington bring to Athens?
Elite size and athleticism.
At 6-foot-7 260-pounds, Washington looks like a future NBA prospect from a size perspective. He’s got length, broad shoulders, and large hands.
While he still needs to develop his route-running and overall technique as a receiver, his raw athleticism and overall talent will bring something to Georgia’s tight end position that hasn’t been seen in Athens for a long time.
He’d big, strong, and runs really well for a guy his size. He’s physical and knows how to block as well in the run game. He’ll play tight end at Georgia, but Dawg Post has seen him play multiple positions including defensive end and punter. He checks all the boxes from a size and athleticism standpoint, and once he develops as a true tight end, Washington has the ability to be a true game-changer in Georgia’s offense. He’ll make an early impact regardless, but Washington’s ceiling and potential are sky-high.
Matt DeBary adds: “Darnell Washington is of the best prospects that I’ve covered. If anything were to happen to his football career, he’s got a WWE contract waiting for him."