The future is now for now-veteran Ole Miss safety Trey Washington

On3 imageby:Chuck Rounsaville03/31/23

From the time Ole Miss Safety Trey Washington stepped on a Rebel practice field, coaches and teammates were saying he has the “it” factor.

Athletic, intelligent, instinctive and football mature beyond his years were some of the descriptive terms used for the Trussville, AL native.

There was only one problem – Ole Miss, at the time, was blessed with an abundance of quality safeties and the “pup” had to wait his turn at the food bowl and take whatever scraps of playing time were left over.

The good thing about Trey? He made the most of his opportunities and set himself up for a good future.

That future is now.

While playing in all 13 games as a safety or on special teams as a true freshman during the Rebs’ Sugar Bowl season, Trey registered 23 tackles, including five solo stops in the shootout with Arkansas the Rebs eventually won.

Last season, he also played in all 13 games and recorded his first three starts of his Reb career while tallying 31 tackles including seven against LSU in a tough loss.

With the likes of A.J. Finley, Otis Reese and Tysheem Johnson now departed via graduation or transfer portal and a new defensive coaching regime taking over, the door is wide open for Washington, who so far this spring is working at one of the safety slots with the first defensive unit along with Isheem Young and Ladarius Tennison in the three-safety lineup in the 4-2 scheme being installed.

New Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding and his methods are right up Washington’s alley.

“I think we are adapting well. We are all focused on playing fast and physical and getting the scheme down,” said Washington, now a junior who has not had the benefit of a redshirt. “We’re trying to work together so we can execute at a high level.

“The difference in what I was asked to do last year and this year is to be more versatile and understanding different coverages and how they match with different routes.”

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Even though Trey is working with the first team this spring, he’s humble regarding his status on the defense at this juncture.

“I’m just trying to focus on every rep I’m given. If I do my job, I’ll get playing time,” he stated. “I did pretty good last year, but there is always something to build on from season to season and that’s what I am trying to do – build on my game every day.”

Washington said Strength & Conditioning Coach Nick Savage had a theme in the offseason workouts that he believes will carry over to the playing field and make the team forget losing five of their last six games a year ago.

“Coach Savage’s workouts were all about finishing. Finish every drill, every lift, every run. That’s what we will strive to do this year on the field – finish,” he explained.

Trey said he has taken a football liking to transfer John Saunders, Jr in the safety room.

“I love the way he plays. He will help us,” Trey closed. “He will help us a lot one he gets more comfortable and figures everything out.”

Trey Washington has been an important contributor to the Ole Miss defense in his first two collegiate campaigns.

Now he’s on the path to being more than a contributor.

He’s looking to impact.

That’s the next logical step for him and the path is clear with nothing in front of him but opportunity.

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