The San Diego Tribute recently wrote a story written by Kirk Kenney focusing on Juwan Washington, KHS Class 2015. Washington was one of the most prolific runners in Kennedale’s history. {{more:Read more …}}Here is some of the story …
Running back Juwan Washington relishes role in Aztecs’ backfield by KirkKenney
Running back D.J. Pumphrey?s absence from San Diego State?s San Diego State?s backfield this season means everyone else gets to take a step forward.
Senior running back Rashaad Penny steps into Pumphrey?s role as the featured back. And sophomore Juwan Washington steps into Penny?s backup spot.
?I think he and Juwan will be fantastic in those roles,? SDSU offensive coordinator Jeff Horton sad. ?I think these two guys will come hand-in-hand. My job is to continue to develop Juwan.?
?We always have that 1-2 punch,? Penny said. ?It was Chase Price and D.J. (in 2015), then me and D.J. and now me and Juwan.
?It?s a tradition we?ve built at San Diego State.?
Like Pumphrey, the 5-7 Washington is the smallest player on the field (though he is substantially heavier at 190 pounds). But he has displayed an ability to run between the tackles, dish out as much as he takes and make moves that leave defenders grasping at air and observers wanting to see more.
Washington arrived two years ago from Texas, where he gained more than 5,000 yards ? averaging 9.5 yards a carry ? and scored 75 touchdowns running the Wing-T at Kennedale High.
Even with that resume, Washington knew it was going to take time to see the field with the Aztecs.
?My expectation was to come in and accept whatever role I had,? said Washington, who redshirted as a freshman ?I knew there were a lot of running backs, and I would have to wait my turn. So whenever my time presented itself, then I had to take advantage of it.?
The first opportunity came last season when he earned the spot as the team?s third running back. Even as the third back last season, Washington got his share of carries. He rushed 55 times for 441 yards (8.03 yards/carry) and six touchdowns. The best glimpse of what could be came in a midseason game at Utah State when Washington rushed 14 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns, much of it in the pouring rain.
He also had 10 kick returns a year ago ? highlighted by a 92-yarder for a touchdown at Wyoming.
?That was my birthday, too, so that made it even more special,? Washington said.Read the full story at SanDiego Union Tribune
