A 6-foot-7, 280 pound tight end is enough to keep opposing linebackers and safeties up at night. Add in speed, great hands and elite athletic abilities and you have Georgia sophomore tight end Darnell Washington.
The former 5-star out of Las Vegas made a huge splash when he committed to UGA. The Leonard Pope comparisons began rolling in, and though Washington did not receive as many touches as we wish he did, he still showed that he can be the next great UGA tight end.
Washington showed out in the Peach Bowl last season, leaving Georgia fans excited for 2021. And in last week’s G-Day game, Washington did it again, recording four catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.
#UGA fans are excited about big Darnell Washington, and his quarterback says they have good reason to be:https://t.co/w4cVHMiHNA pic.twitter.com/m9ycBDKimb
— Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) April 20, 2021
Big day for Big 0️⃣#GDay #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/OFUY5NYLyR
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) April 19, 2021
“Well, it’s interesting, he wasn’t able to practice all spring so he missed some time and just getting him back gave us another weapon at least for this game,” Smart said, referring to Washington’s performance at G-Day.
“He’s a great target he’s a big target, he’s an athletic guy. He is a weapon. We have to find ways to be able to utilize him both in the passing game and in the run game because he’s a weapon in both.”
Based on G-Day, offensive coordinator Todd Monken appears to be getting creative with how he plans on using Washington this fall. Washington lined up all over the place, including out wide, in the slot and with his hands in the dirt.
“You definitely do see a development in him,” quarterback JT Daniels said. “Last year, when you’re coming from high school to a real, coach Monken NFL system in college there is a shock that hits you right away just because there is so much to it. You see it this year he gets the signal and he knows what he’s doing right away. He’s not thinking about it like he was last year.”
