Huntersville (N.C.) junior-to-be running back Robert Washington made the trip to Ohio State's prospect camp on Saturday to watch his cousin, Aapri Washington, workout.
Robert, fresh off a visit to Notre Dame, didn't workout out at today's camp but had an opportunity to speak with the coaches. In fact, Ohio State coaches spent most of the day talking to the four-star running back and his father.
"I got to talk to coach Drayton and coach Meyer again," he said after his visit. "I got a chance to really get a feel for how coach Drayton coaches. I also got a chance to talk to one of the senior backs they have here."
Meyer, who called Washington over to chat during camp, sees the North Carolina prospect as the perfect fit for Ohio State's offense.
"[Meyer] said he just loved my film. I love the way you can go you're quick, you're fast, you're big. You fit our offense."
Quick, big and fast are also three adjectives to describe Carlos Hyde. At 5-foot-10, 210 pounds with a 4.47 time in the 40-yard dash, the Buckeyes coaching staff sees the resemblance and made the comparison themselves. Washington welcomes the comparison and hopes he can live up to it.
"When I visited the first time, they said I'd be at least 230-240 [pounds] like Carlos [Hyde] and I could tote the rock like Carlos."
Despite George Hill already being committed as a running back in 2016, the Buckeyes still hope to land another prospect of Washington's caliber. Urban Meyer is willing to wait for the four-star prospect.
"No, he didn't try to pressure me," Washington said. "He told coach Drayton he really wants me at running back in 2016."
Right now, he maintains that he is wide open because he wants to give every school an opportunity to recruit him. A summer full of visits will allow him to soon narrow his school list down and the Buckeyes will almost surely make the list.
"I'm coming out with a top 15 in August," the feature running back said. "Ohio State has a very strong chance at making it. I don't want to give anything away yet, but I really have a good relationship with coach Drayton and Meyer."
The Buckeyes are just one of over 30 teams to offer the nation's 16th ranked running back. North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Penn State, Stanford, Tennessee, UCLA and Vanderbilt are just a few other programs that have already offered. Florida is another school that is expected to soon offer. Other than Florida, there aren't any offers that he is really looking to add, he said.
While he didn't wanted to go into too much of depth regarding his top schools, he did take a moment to discuss a few recent visits and schools that are sticking out.
"I went to Tennessee and they stood out. I went to North Carolina and they stood out a little bit. I went to Notre Dame four times and they stood out. Vanderbilt stood out too."
Washington already knows what he is looking for in a school.
"It's really the people," he responded. "Every school has great facilities, a great campus and big stadiums. It's really the people who make the school the best fit for you. I love coach Drayton, Urban Meyer and the players. They're very fun to be around and they're very welcoming."
While it's still early, Washington really likes Ohio State.
"It was great. It feels like a family environment for me," he stated. "It's a fun place to be."
Playing for a legend like Urban Meyer is something that interests the North Carolina star. He recalled his first encounter with the Buckeye head man.
"The first time I met Urban Meyer, when I first came up here, he just popped into the office," he described. "My mouth dropped because it's Urban Meyer and he's one of the greatest coaches to ever live in college football."
Last night, I casted my crystal ball prediction of Ohio State for Robert Washington. I think the Buckeyes have a good shot at landing the four-star prospect as the second back in the recruiting class. A decision isn't expected until next summer.
