By Steve Patterson
Taurian Washington
came out of the St Mary’s Prep program in Orchard Lake,
Michigan, one of the top programs in Michigan that Ohio
State has targeted in
recent years for players. As the Wolverines have had a down season here and
there and Lloyd Carr looked outside the state for talent, Ohio State
moved in. The previous year, Head Coach Jim Tressel drew Safety Aaron Gant from
St Mary’s and in 2007 the Buckeyes were able to get the 23rd best
receiver in the country in Washington.
In an injury battling season as a
senior, Washington
grabbed 30 catches for 500 yards and eight touchdowns. Washington was recruited as a receiver and
told us that he feels he will stay at receiver as his career progresses. “I
play receiver for Ohio State and I plan on staying at receiver the rest of
my years at Ohio State.” He said.
In the
first game of the season, Washington
caught a slant across the middle from third string quarterback Antonio Henton
and floated down the field 37 yards for his first career touchdown, showing his
track field speed. In fact, he won the state championship in track in two
different events during his prep career, the 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays.
Although we saw him on offense only during the season, Washington was also ready on special teams
he explained to us. “I was always second string on most of the special teams so
I was ready whenever my number was called to go in for someone.”
Seeing Ohio State
go to the National Championship in 2007 and then being a part of the team in
2008 was something Washington
feels made his first year as a Buckeye special. “I feel that we had a very successful
year my freshman year.” He said. Leading up to the game, the team was quite
excited for the opportunity to redeem themselves. “Our team excitement was
really intense I must say going into the National Championship.”
The bench
erupted as Beanie Wells took the team ahead early in the game and Washington feels that
was the highlight for him. “I have to say the highlight of the game was most definently
Beanie Wells running for that touchdown in the first quarter of the game.”