Darnell Washington had an incredibly busy offseason traveling the country and seeing schools and now the five-star tight end is hammering out his official visit schedule. The Las Vegas (Nev.) Desert Pines standout will start his trips by going to Georgia for the Notre Dame weekend in late September. Washington has already been to Athens and loves the environment there.
Getting to see how new offensive coordinator James Coley uses the tight end will be important as the Bulldogs target five-star tight ends Arik Gilbert and Washington in this class. The only other in-season official visit Washington has planned is to head back to Alabama for its big rivalry matchup against LSU in early November.
Washington’s relationship with coach Nick Saban and position coach Jeff Banks is definitely a draw to the Crimson Tide and the five-star likes the business approach Alabama’s staff has taken to his recruitment. Visits back to Miami and Tennessee have been penciled in for December. The Hurricanes definitely left a big impression on Washington during his recent visit there so getting back to campus is going to be huge.
Tennessee (along with Alabama) is another program that is targeting Gilbert and Washington in this recruiting class. Gilbert has the ability to play outside receiver as well or they could be used in some devastating two tight-end packages if they choose to go to school together. The Volunteers have struggled on the field recently but Washington is serious about that program and a return trip to Knoxville in December could be really important leading up to his decision.