| Derrick Washington |
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·2008 Spring Team Most Improved Tailback
2008 OUTLOOK
Very talented true sophomore tailback who has Tiger fans and coaches excited about his future in Mizzou's balanced and potent offense ... Emerged from a spirited battle in spring camp with senior Jimmy Jackson, as the starter at the tailback position, as he holds down the No. 1 spot on the depth chart entering fall camp ... Is likely the best combination of running threat and pass-catching threat out of the backfield for Mizzou ... Demonstrated that versatility in spring scrimmages, and closed spring down by posting solid numbers in the spring game (7 rushes for 35 yards and 1 TD, coupled with 4 receptions for 37 yards) ... Has good speed, size and strength, and will look to shore up ball security to become a complete back for the Tigers going forward.
2007 SEASON
Prolific high school running back who pulled his redshirt in game #3, and contributed more and more as he got his footing ... Ended the season as the team's 5th-leading rusher, with 184 yards and 1 TD, while catching 10 passes out of the backfield for 70 yards and 1 touchdown ... Saw his first collegiate action against Western Michigan ... Ran three times for 12 yards against the Broncos ... Ran for a career-high 66 yards on nine carries against Texas Tech ... Averaged nine yards a carry in first half against TTU ... Was one of the Tigers called upon to run the ball while TB Tony Temple was sidelined with injury for OU and TTU games ... Carried just once for four yards against Iowa State ... Caught 4 passes for 30 yards in the Tigers' win over Texas A&M ... Was the leading rusher against Colorado, gaining 48 yards on eight carries ... Scored his first career TD on a three-yard scoring run against CU ... Carried the ball three times for 14 yards against Kansas State ... Scored his second career touchdown on a three-yard pass play against Kansas that gave the Tigers a 28-7 lead late in the quarter.
HIGH SCHOOL
Rated by Rivals as the No. 5 overall prospect (any position) in the state of Missouri, as well as the No. 20 running back prospect in the nation ... Ranked by Super Prep as the No. 50 overall prospect (any position) in the Midlands region ... Was a key figure to one of the most dominant team periods in Missouri history, as Ray-Pec won three straight Class 5 titles from 2004-06, on a combined record of 36-3 ... Had 5,500 yards from scrimmage and 83 TDs in his impressive career, twice being named the Kansas City offensive player of the year ... Scored an unreal 12 combined TDs in those three title games (eight TD rushes, two pass receptions, one punt return and one fumble return) ... Was a man among boys as he almost single-handedly led his team to a 42-32 win in the 2006 Class 5 state title game against Kirkwood ... Scored five of his team's six TDs in the game, on three runs (13, 1 and 65 yards in length), one pass reception (23 yards), and for good measure, he added a 68-yard punt return for a TD with just 1:59 left in the game to ice the championship ... Ended the day with 174 yards rushing, and he also forced and recovered a fumble on defense, as well, as Ray-Pec ended the year with a 10-3 record ... Rushed for 1,930 yards and 31 TDs as a senior in 2006, and also caught 22 receptions for 347 yards and eight TDs, on his way to earning Class 5 offensive player of the year honors ... Also scored four TDs in the 2005 Class 5 title game (won by Ray-Pec, 43-21 over McCluer North), on runs of 1, 5, and 34 yards, and a fourth coming on a 48-yard pass from Mizzou TE Chase Coffman's brother, Carson ... Had 99 yards rushing and 115 yards receiving on the day, as Ray-Pec closed the season with a perfect 13-0 record ... Had nearly 2,300 yards from scrimmage as a junior, as he rushed for 1,326 yards (averaging a whopping 15.1 yards per attempt) and 22 TDs, while catching 31 passes for 861 yards (27.8 avg.) and seven more TDs ... Also scored three TDs as a sophomore in 2004 in the Class 5 state title game, in leading Ray-Pec to a 37-18 win over McCluer North ... Scored on runs of two and 10 yards, and later on a 15-yard fumble recovery ... A well-rounded athlete who also lettered in basketball and track for his school ... High school coach - Tom Kruse.
PERSONAL
Parents - Donald & Sarah Washington ... Chose Mizzou over Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Colorado State and Kansas, among others ... Primary Mizzou recruiter - Andy Hill.
