In a perfect world, Washington would be the featured player on the Buckeyes' defensive unit in 2009 rather than vying for a roster spot in the National Football League. Regarded as one of the best pure athletes ever recruited by coach Jim Tressel, off-field issues and problems with the coaching staff, along with inconsistent play, prevented the talented athlete from realizing his potential.

Washington greatly improved his draft outlook with a sensational performance at the NFL Combine and in post-combine workouts. His 11-foot, 3-inch broad jump, 45-inch vertical jump and 6.84 three-cone drills certainly opened the eyes of league personnel in attendance during those performances.

Yet, his career never matched his athletic talent. There were flashes of brilliance, including 100 yards gained on three fumble recoveries and 104 yards gained on two interception returns. But in 37 games that included 24 starts, his great leaping ability was rarely on display, as he managed to deflect just four passes.

Washington was rated the best defensive back in the state of Indiana as a senior at Franklin Central High School. He was also a standout big-play receiver, as he caught 47 passes for a 17.0-yard average and 10 touchdowns that campaign, receiving a two-star rating from Rivals.com. In addition to football, he excelled in track, capturing the state long jump championship as a junior and senior. He graduated as an Honor Roll student.

Washington enrolled at Ohio State in 2005, but spent the season performing on the scout team. He was named the team's Outstanding Freshman in 2006, starting nine games at boundary cornerback and nickel back in 2006. He produced 41 tackles (28 solos) with a stop behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused two fumbles and recovered another that he returned 48 yards.

As a sophomore, Washington moved to field cornerback, starting all 13 games. He registered 39 tackles (29 solos) that included his only sack as a Buckeye. He recovered a fumble, broke up two passes and returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.

Washington was suspended for the team's first two games of the 2008 season for an off-field incident that was a violation of team rules. "I'll be honest and admit I made a mistake," he said. "That's the only way you can handle it. The best thing to do is just be honest."

When he returned, he spent most of the season as a reserve, starting two games at boundary cornerback. He managed just 22 tackles (18 solos) with a fumble recovery and a 34-yard interception return.

Washington joined receiver Brian Hartline and running back Chris Wells as three Ohio State underclassmen to declare for the 2009 NFL Draft. A bit of an unknown before his arrival, he dazzled everyone, as his vertical jump and broad jump figures were the best of any player that attended the 2009 event.

Positives: Good height and build for the position. … Legitimate NFL athlete. … Good straight-line speed. … Low backpedal and smooth transition to run with receivers. … A bit choppy out of his breaks, but accelerates quickly. … Closes on the ball quickly. … Flashes the ability to pop the defender and is generally a reliable wrap-up tackler. … Good vision. … Reads the field well with the ball in his hands and has averaged 40.8 yards on his five turnover returns, including one 70-yard interception return for a touchdown. … Straight-line speed and vision as a runner could translate well as a kick returner.

Negatives: Enters the NFL as a better raw athlete than football player. … Relies on his athleticism. … Gives receivers a big cushion and seems content with making the tackle rather than going for the interception. … Too often allows passes into his chest and lacks natural hands for the interception. … Plays with bit of a cover corner mentality and doesn't get very involved in run support. … Finished the 2008 season with only five assisted tackles. … Suspended for the first two games of the 2008 season due to a violation of team rules.

Washington started 24 of 37 games at Ohio State; 13 at field cornerback and 11 at boundary cornerback … Finished his career with 102 tackles (75 solos), a 3-yard sack, three stops for losses of 7 yards and one quarterback pressure … Caused two fumbles and recovered three others that he advanced for a total of 100 yards … Deflected four passes and intercepted two others for 104 yards in returns, including a 70-yard touchdown.

Washington served a suspension for a violation of team rules, sitting out the team's first two games vs. Youngstown State and Ohio University … When he returned, he found Malcolm Jenkins occupying his old position at field cornerback and Chimdi Chekwa stationed at the boundary position … The junior did earn two starting assignments vs. Penn State and Texas (Fiesta Bowl), finishing with a career-low 22 tackles (18 solos) … Had one pass deflection and returned an interception 34 yards … Also recovered a fumble that he advanced 44 yards … Was part of a unit that ranked 13th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (105.23 rating).

Youngstown State and Ohio University … Did not play in the team's first two games after he was suspended for a team rules violation.

Southern California, Troy, Purdue and Penn State … Washington recorded one tackle in each game.

Minnesota … Washington stepped in front of an Adam Weber pass at the OSU 14, returning the interception 48 yards to set up a Buckeyes 44-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Wisconsin … Two of the nickel back's three solo tackles came on third-down plays.

Michigan State … Washington collected four tackles (3 solos) … Midway through the first quarter, MSU's Keshawn Martin fumbled the ball on a 10-yard run and Washington scooped up the ball, returning it 44 yards to the Spartans' 17, setting up a 7-yard scoring strike by OSU passer Terrelle Pryor to Brian Robiskie.

Texas (Fiesta Bowl) … In just his second start for the schedule, Washington's final collegiate game resulted in a season-high six solo tackles.

Washington started all thirteen games at field cornerback, earning team weekly honors vs. Washington, Kent State and Wisconsin … Recorded 39 tackles (29 solos) with a 3-yard sack and two stops for losses of 4 yards … Recovered a fumble that he advanced 8 yards, as he also had a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown and two pass deflections … Was part of a squad that led the nation in total defense (233.0 ypg), scoring defense (12.77 ppg) and pass defense (150.15 ypg).

Washington … All four of the field cornerback's solo tackles came on third-down snaps.

Purdue … Had another four solo tackles, two coming on third-down plays, as he also broke up a third-down pass.

Kent State … The field cornerback followed with three solo tackles … He sacked QB Julian Edelman for a 3-yard loss on a third-&-4 snap, forcing KSU to punt early in the second quarter … Later in that frame, he picked off an Edelman pass, returning the ball 70 yards for a touchdown.

Penn State … Washington collected two solo tackles … He recovered a fumble by receiver Justin Norwood, returning the ball 8 yards to set up an Ohio State 35-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Michigan … Broke up a Chad Henne third-down pass attempt and registered five solo tackles, including one that took down tailback Mike Hart behind the line of scrimmage.

Louisiana State (BCS Championship Game) … Washington was in on five tackles (3 solos) in a 38-24 loss.

Named the team's Most Outstanding first-year Defensive Player … Played in thirteen games, starting nine contests while sharing boundary cornerback and nickel back duties with Antonio Smith … Recorded a career-high 41 tackles (28 solos) with a stop for a 3-yard loss and one quarterback pressure … Caused two fumbles and recovered another that he advanced 48 yards … Also deflected one pass … Part of a unit that ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense (12.77 ppg), 12th in total defense (280.46 ypg) and tenth in pass efficiency defense (104.06 rating).

Texas … Washington recorded five tackles (3 solos) in a 24-7 win … Five minutes into the game, he pressured QB Colt McCoy into throwing an incomplete third-&-7 pass, forcing the Longhorns to punt … Later in the opening frame, he recovered a fumble by receiver Billy Pittman after a 6-yard catch, as the cornerback advanced the ball 48 yards to set up a 14-yard touchdown pass from OSU's Troy Smith to Anthony Gonzalez.

Bowling Green … The freshman posted four solo tackles … In the second quarter, he crashed into Chris Bullock on an 8-yard screen pass, causing a fumble near mid field.

Indiana … Delivered five tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage … Also caused a fumble, when he dislodged the ball from receiver Dee McCray after a screen pass at the Indiana 37 late in the first quarter.

Florida (BSC Championship Game) … Washington registered a season-high seven tackles (6 solos) in a 41-14 loss.

Red-shirted as a freshman, performing on the scout team.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.52 in the 40-yard dash … 1.51 10-yard dash … 2.56 20-yard dash … 4.13 20-yard shuttle … 6.73 three-cone drill.

Combine: 4.5 in the 40-yard dash … 1.47 10-yard dash … 2.58 20-yard dash … 4.20 20-yard shuttle … 6.84 three-cone drill … 45-inch vertical jump … 11'3" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds nine times.

2008: Was suspended for the team's first two games vs. Youngstown State (8/30) and Ohio University (9/06) due to a violation of team rules. The incident first came to light in December, 2007, but he was allowed to play in the BCS title game vs. LSU. "I'll be honest and admit I made a mistake," he said. "That's the only way you can handle it. The best thing to do is just be honest."

Attended Franklin Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) High School … Rated the best defensive back in the state of Indiana as a senior … Was also a standout big-play receiver, as he caught 47 passes for a 17.0-yard average and 10 touchdowns that campaign, receiving a two-star rating from Rivals.com … In addition to football, he excelled in track, capturing the state long jump championship as a junior and senior … Graduated as an Honor Roll student.

Communications major, graduating in December, 2008 … Son of Donald and Cherry Washington … .Born 7/28/86 … Resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.