2013 NCAA Recruiting: Arkansas Lands No. 1 JUCO Cornerback
By Ryan Wright
Nov 17, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks mascot during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports
Fayetteville, Ark. – Bret Bielema and his newly formed staff addressed several immediate needs for the 2013 college football season season with their 2013 recruiting class. One of the top incoming prospects for the Hogs is Carroll Washington, the No. 1 rated junior college cornerback in the nation.
Washington, 6’0”, 180 pounds, earned 2011 All-Coast Conference honors playing for Hartnell Community College in Salinas, California last season. His play over the past two years earned a ranking as the No. 10 overall JUCO recruit in the nation.
Washington’s play as a freshman helped lead the Panthers (7-3) to a 2011 Coast Conference Championship and a Southern Division Championship. He totaled a team-high four interceptions while playing in all 10 Hartnell games last season.
His reported 4.4 forty-yard speed and play making ability was utilized by Panthers head coach Matt Collins on special teams. Washington served as the primary punt returner and kick returner netting an average of 21.14 yards per kickoff return on 10 attempts in 2011.
Originally from Edmonson Westside High School in Baltimore, Maryland, Washington had early offers from Kansas, Mississippi State, Texas Tech, Rutgers, and San Diego State before picking the Razorbacks.
The extra year of seasoning at the community college level has served Washington well. He was not on Rivals.com 2012 season ending Top 25 list for prospects in the state of Maryland.
Washington will be a sophomore during the 2012 season and will have two years of eligibility when he transfers to the University of Arkansas.
Inside the Numbers
Washington had 28 total tackles during his freshman campaign along with seven passes broken up.
Hartnell had the No. 10 ranked defense in the state of California in 2011.
Teammate Alvin Jelks (San Jose State) set the Hartnell all-time single season school rushing record with 1,650 yards last season.
Hartnell had 12 team members on first-team conference in 2011.
Arkansas Razorback Commitments for the 2013 Recruiting Class
1. QB Austin Allen, 6’2”, 217 pounds, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 4-Star
2. LB Brooks Ellis, 6’2”, 215 pounds, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 3-Star
3. SS Alex Brignoni, 6’1”, 190 pounds, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 3-Star
4. TE Hunter Henry, 6’6”, 235 pounds, Little Rock, Arkansas, 4-Star
5. LB Myke Tavarres, 6’2”, 220 pounds, Weed (JC), California, 3-Star*
6. CB Carroll Washington, 6’0”, 175 pounds, Salinas (JC), California, 4-Star*
7. DE Tevin Beanum, 6’4”, 235 pounds, Forrest City, Arkansas, 3-Star
8. OT John McClure, 6’4”, 310 pounds, El Dorado (JC), Texas, 3-Star*
9. WR Drew Morgan, 6’0”, 185 pounds, Greenwood, Arkansas, 3-Star
10. SS Tiquention Coleman, 5’10”, 200 pounds, Milledgeville (JC), Georgia, 3-Star*
11. LB Martrell Spaight, 6’0”, 220 pounds, Coffeyville (JC), Kansas, 3-Star*
12. P Sam Irwin-Hill, 6’3”, 210 pound, City College of San Francisco (JC), 2-Star
13. OG Reeve Koehler, 6’3”, 320 pounds, Honolulu, Hawaii, 4-Star
14. FS De’Andre Coley, 6’1”, 185 pounds, Miami, Florida, 2-Star
15. CB D.J. Dean, 5’10”, 185 pounds, Newton, Texas, 3-Star
16. DT Ke’tyrus Marks, 6’2”, 285 pounds, Riviera Beach, Florida, 3-Star
17. OT Dan Skipper, 6’10”, 292 pounds, Arvada, Colorado, 3-Star
18. SS Korliss Marshall, 6’0”, 190 ponds, Osceola, Arkansas, 3-Star
19. RB Denzell Evans, 6’0”, 205 pounds, Bellaire, Texas, 3-Star
20. CB Melvinson Hartfield, 5’11”, 185 pounds, Dallas, Texas, 3-Star
21. RB Alex Collins, 5’11”, 210 pounds, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 5-Star**
22. OT Denver Kirkland, 6’5”, 333 pounds, Miami, Florida, 4-Star
23. QB DamonMitchell, 6’2”, 190 pounds, Egg Harbor City, NJ, 4-Star
** Verbally committed but unsigned as of this writing
Arkansas Razorback Commitments for the 2014 Recruiting Class
1. QB Rafe Peavey, Bolivar, Missouri, 4-Star
2. DT Bijhon Jackson, El Dorado, Arkansas, 4-Star
3. RB Juan Day, North Little Rock, Arkansas, not rated
Verbal commitments are non-binding.
* Denotes signed Letter of Intent.
Arkansas Razorback Walk-ons for 2013
1. QB A.J. Derby, Iowa City, Iowa
2. FB Patick Arinze, San Diego, California
3. OT Austin Boice, Lamar, Missouri