Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Quinton Washington — Defensive Line — Wolverine’s Spring Football — GBMWolverine Evaluations
Posted at 5:30am — 7/24/2012
Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Quinton Washington — Defensive Line — Wolverine’s Spring Football — GBMWolverine Evaluations
GBMWolverine Football Spring Evaluations: Position-by-Position — Player Profile.
GBMWolverine readers: Here is a brief overview of Quinton Washington and GBMWolverine’s analysis concerning his progress this spring in our opinion.
Note: We will not evaluate every player on the team and with this position group (Defensive Line) we will not evaluate #67 Nathan Brink. If you would like to chat about this player bring them up on the message board or send us an e-mail request.
Reminder: Also noted that we didn’t attend every practice and realize things happen during those fifteen practices, but our evaluations are based on what we seen first hand and in our opinion and not what we hear like just about every other site out there that relies on second, third hand information to make their evaluations of the players during the spring.
Losing from 2011 (Team #132) on scholarship: #39 Will Heininger, #53 Ryan Van Bergen, #68 Mike Martin, and #95 Chris Rock who has left the program.
Coming in for 2012 (Team #133) on scholarship: Willie Henry, Ondre Pipkins, Chris Wormley, Tom Strobel, Matt Godin, and Mario Ojemudia.
Commit for 2013 (Team #134) on scholarship: Henry Poggi, Maurice Hurst Jr., and Taco Charlton.
Quinton Washington
Height: 6’4
Weight: 302
Number: 76
Position: Defensive Line (DT)
Year: Red-shirt Junior
City/State: St. Stephen, South Carolina
High School: Timberland
High School Coach: Art Craig
Quinton Washington is a redshirt junior from South Carolina. Big Q is an appropriate nickname since Quinton is not one of the undersized Michigan defenders. In high school, Quinton was heralded, by some, as being a sure-fire bulldozer offensive guard at the college level. Because of need, and not becoming an offensive line starter, Quinton moved to the defensive line.
With Michigan’s shortage of big and skilled defensive linemen, Quinton Washington fulfills a big need and he provides the needed size and strength to contribute at the defensive tackle position. His contribution becomes even more critical as Michigan lost three starters on the defensive line. There is no Mike Martin to command double teams this year, and someone must step up.
GBMWolverine noticed a marked improvement in Quinton’s play from last spring. He seemed to be in a little better shape and also seems to be obtaining a better grasp of learning what is needed at the college level to be a successful player on defense. Remember, he switched over from offensive line, so it takes time, especially at this level.
Washington still has problems getting off the ball quickly and by no stretch is a substantial pass rusher. Big men who are quick off the ball and mount a monster pass rush are rare commodities that are called early in the NFL Draft. The coaches seem to be working hard with Quinton in practice to improve his technique and fundamentals.
At times this spring both Big Will and Washington were on the line at the same time. We are likely to see this combination mostly when a short yardage situation warrants two bigger bodies in the middle, or in a goal line defense.
How well Washington plays will probably determine how much the incoming freshman will see action, starting with Pipkins. We believe Pipkins will see game action, but could be limited if a player like Washington really steps up this fall. The Michigan defense played a lot of nickel last season and we assume this will continue. How and how many big bodies are used on defense this year remains to be seen.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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