Woodi Washington explains decision to return for 2023 season

Oklahoma cornerback Woodi Washington has high expectations for himself in 2023. Washington is set to enter his fifth season in Norman, making him one of the veterans on the Sooners roster.

Oklahoma will count on Washington to take a step forward as a leader in the secondary after losing cornerback CJ Coldon and safeties Justin Broiles and Trey Morrison this offseason. With spring practice kicking off last week, he opened up on his decision to come back as well as his goals for the upcoming year.

“Honestly, just expecting to get a lot better,” Washington said. “Focus on my football IQ and trying to learn the game more. Just coming back and the coaches that we have do a great job of teaching the game. Just coming back and trying to learn more about football and take it where I can.”

A former four-start recruit in the 2019 class, Washington ranked as the No. 170 overall player and the No. 17 cornerback according to On3 Industry ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.. He has started 23 games the past three seasons, including all 13 in 2022.

This past season was his best yet as he finished fifth on the team with 67 tackles in addition to one interception, one forced fumble and six pass breakups. As he hopes to improve upon those numbers this season, he also expressed excitement for his new leadership role with the younger players.

“It feels great,” he said. “I was a young guy once. So me being an older guy now, it’s a huge accomplishment. …I’ve been here. I’ve played ball. So I have to lead. I have to at this point.”

The Sooners defense left much to be desired in coach Brent Venables‘ first season last year, ranking eighth in the Big 12 in points allowed per game (30.0) and ninth in yards allowed per game (461.0). They ended with a 6-7 record for their first losing season since 1998.

But Woodi Washington believes he has what it takes to lead Oklahoma to a bounce-back season, naming one of his goals as winning the Jim Thorpe Award given annually to college football’s top defensive back.

“Just try to get as good as I can while I’m here,” he said. “Trying to learn as much as I can while I’m here. I’m trying to win the Jim Thorpe Award.”