As we have with all the picks, it’s Q and A time with a more local feel for our newest Bill, Adolphus Washington. This time however, we have an inside man – our own Bleez of Buffalo Wins. I think you’re aware of the site? Brett also writes for Land-Grant Holy Land on SBNation, so if you’re looking for all the news that’s fit to print on The Ohio State University – hit them up. And if you’re in the tweetin’ mood, read up via @Landgrant33.
Brett will be dropping 411 on Adolphus and if you’d like even more info on the Dolph, check out his post-draft article as well. Without further ado, here’s the interview!
How would you describe Adolphus’ time at school?
– Early on it was a little up-and-down. He came into Ohio State as a 5-star recruit and made a bit of an early impact with 3 sacks during his freshman season. Joey Bosa and Noah Spence got a lot of the time at defensive end, which cut into Washington’s playing time in his sophomore season. The big change came before his junior year when Larry Johnson came over from Penn State to coach the defensive line. Washington was moved to the interior of the defensive line which allowed him to flourish in his final two seasons in Columbus.
What are his strengths/weaknesses?
– Washington’s strengths are he is very athletic for a big man, and has the ability to get off the snap quickly. His length also makes it hard for offensive linemen to get a handle on him.
Washington’s weaknesses are looks pretty top-heavy when he plays because he tends to keep his pad level high. He would be helped greatly if he was able to play with a little more bend, which would allow him to gain better leverage. He is pretty lean below the knees so it wouldn’t hurt him to try and improve his strength there.
Is there anything fans outside of your team wouldn’t know about him?
– Washington was a star basketball player in high school, averaging 23 points and 14 rebounds per game on his senior year, as he was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio.
How do you think he’ll fit with the Bills – Particularly in moving down the line and preventing Marcel from becoming a 100 million dollar nose tackle?
– I think he’ll fit in great on the defensive line. He played both nose guard and the 3-technique at Ohio State so he is versatile. He can take over for Kyle Williams and with him and Dareus on the inside of the line it’s going to be hard for opponents to get anything up the middle.
Any game(s) we should point fans to as “the game” that he stood out?
– Washington always seemed to play well against Penn State, notching at least a sack in three out of the four years they played. He had a big sack in his freshman year against Michigan, where Ohio State clinched a 12-0 season. There wasn’t anything else that really stood out, as Washington was steady most of the time, besides earlier this year against Western Michigan when he had a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Any stats jump out during his time at your school?
– Washington did force three fumbles during his four years, so he has the ability to dislodge the football from the opponent. Adolphus’ best year for Ohio State came in 2014 when he recorded 10.5 tackles for loss as the Buckeyes ended up winning the College Football Playoff.
So…the prostitution sting. Other than jokes to be had, anything to worry about?
– I truly don’t think there is anything to worry about. I think it was just a lapse of judgement which he learned from. What likely made the suspension even worse was Washington was legally carrying a gun at the time, but Urban Meyer had a no-gun policy with his players.
Any other thoughts on him?
– There’s not much else that we haven’t covered so far. I think he’s a great athlete who will definitely help this Buffalo defense get back to the level they were playing at a few years ago.
Bills Draft Q&A Archive:
Round 1 – Shaq Lawson
Round 2 – Reggie Ragland
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