Ohio State impressed Marcus Washington, but decision could be delayed
FRISCO, Texas — Ohio State hosted St. Louis (Mo.) Trinity Catholic wide receiver Marcus Washington, arguably its top remaining target at the position in the Class of 2019, for an official visit last week.
Now down in the Lone Star State for The Opening Finals, the 6-foot-2, 193-pound wideout reflected on the experience and called it “eye-opening.”
“I enjoyed it a lot,” Washington said. “I talked to lot of coaches, hung out with a lot of players and found out a lot about the school itself – the [educational] aspect – but also a lot about the football program.
“Ohio State develops its players the best in the country. From the school aspect, they aren’t the top at any specific measure, but they had a lot of graduates from every major. They have the Real Life Wednesday program, which helps you to get jobs after they leave [school].”
Marcus Washington wants teams to keep it real
Urban Meyer and wide receivers coach Zach Smith are involved in the recruitment of Washington, the country’s 10th-ranked wide receiver prospect and 62nd-ranked overall player in the Class of 2019. Washington is comfortable with the Buckeyes staff and their approach with him.
“I talked with Coach Smith and Coach Meyer [during the visit], and they kept it real with me,” he said. “They didn’t kiss my butt, and I liked that. They told me they want me a lot, but I’d have to work for it. No spot is given to me. They’re recruiting me to take someone’s spot, but when I get there, they’re going to recruit another person to take my spot, and I liked that a lot.”
Despite being a 100-percent favorite on the 247Sports.com crystal ball predictions, Washington is trying to downplay any reports of the Buckeyes being the odds-on leader in his recruitment.
“I’m still going off my top six [Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Missouri, Florida State and Texas],” Washington said. “They’re all recruiting me the same, and I talk to the whole coaching staff everywhere.
“I want to see how they [schools] use me and how much of a priority I am to them. Nothing is given to me, but I want a school to want me and to have a plan for me.”
There was a time recently when Washington was expected to make a decision in early August. But hat may no longer be the case.
“At first, I was trying to commit before the season, but I haven’t been able to get up to every school,” he said before pointing to a trip to Texas he has planned for July 28. “If I don’t end up committing toward the end of the summer, it’ll probably be toward the end of the season before signing day.”
