Interview: 4-Star 2022 DE Cedric Washington Talks Georgia Bulldogs Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Images out of a horror film and nightmares are not contained in the imaginary world. There are real life monsters getting after it terrorizing mankind. One such monster can be seen on the Cedartown High School gridiron besting offensive tackles while scaring the wits out of quarterbacks and tailbacks – that beast in the helmet and shoulder pads is Class of 2020 defensive end Cedric Washington.
Washington is not the average run of the mill end. He jumped onto the Georgia high school football scene as a freshman last season impressing all by earning a starting spot. Going against 4A competition, the 6-2, 213-pound, defender developed his trade using speed, strength, and raw skill becoming a constant presence in the opposition’s backfield forcing errant throws while stopping plays before they got going. Washington’s athleticism is such, the Bulldogs coaching staff also line him up at running back in a key contributor role.
As the 2019 season gets going, college football programs are taking notice of the four-star recruit. Washington holds offers from Albany State, Coastal Carolina, Louisville, and Nebraska. Over the weekend Washington visited Georgia taking in their win over 23-17 win over then-No. 7 Notre Dame.
In an RNG exclusive, I caught up with Washington after his trip to Athens for an update on the visit and his sophomore season.
Interview
Cedric, you are a force coming off the edge in the Bulldogs defensive scheme with the speed to chase down plays from the backside. What are you doing well on the field so far this season on that side of the ball?
“My get off, striking my opponent, reading the play and going to make the tackle. I am very good at that.”
You are getting some snaps in at running back as well. How is that part of your game coming along?
“It is fun. I like defense better, but when I get the ball, I will get some yards. There are some plays where I break loose and score.”
Over the offseason, what did you work on as a defensive lineman to prepare for your sophomore season?
“I worked on my technique, my get off, striking a dummy, working past blocker, and my rush moves.”
On game tape, your strength shows. Did you max out in the weight room over the offseason?
“I did. I benched 355, squatted 500, and I got 315 on power clean.”
Wow. That is really impressive.
“Thank you.”
Did you go to any college camps over the summer?
“I went to a Georgia camp.”
Did you learn anything that is helping you with your game this season?
“Everything they taught at that camp is what my coach has taught me. I have not missed anything yet.”
Where are you lining up as an end, weakside or strongside?
“I am on the weakside, but when we can’t switch on the field, I can play strongside. I play both strong and weak.”
Which areas of your game as an end are you always working on in practice?
“We do one-on-ones in practice, that is helping me a lot. We are making each other better. They are also putting me in at running back in practice.”
The team has played tough this season and got that needed big win on Friday against Southeast Whitfield County. How did the team look overall in the victory?
“We were having fun flying around the field. That has been the most fun that we’ve had this season. Our best game was our scrimmage game. In our scrimmage game, we were all together playing as a family. We are getting that family attitude back.”
As you guys go into conference action, what are some of the big games coming up you are excited to play?
“The big games coming up are Troup (County) and Cartersville this Friday.”
With recruiting, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Georgia. They want me to come up there a lot, but they have not offered yet.”
How many offers do you have now?
“I have four offers; Coastal Carolina, Albany State, Louisville, and Nebraska.”
I know you visited Georgia on Saturday for the Notre Dame game. How did the visit go?
“It was fun. The atmosphere was crazy. It was wild, I like it. That was the first college game I have been to. I was shocked and excited. It was lit.”
What did you think of their defensive scheme and how you might fit into it?
“I can see myself coming off the edge in their scheme. I think I can help with bringing pressure. I was looking at their plays, their plays are similar to our plays.”
Which next level players do you look to wanting to learn more about the game?
“The running backs I look up to are Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns) and my former teammates, Tony Mathis (West Virginia) and Kobe Pryor (Clemson). As a defensive end, I have watched Nolan Smith (Georgia) since he was in high school. People say I play like him, I can see that. It is fun watching him. He is quick. His ball get off is so explosive.”
Cedric, it was great getting time in with you today learning more about your game. Wishing you and the Bulldogs success the rest of the season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Washington family; Cedric Washington at Georgia