A pair of teammates and members of the
MaxPreps Top 100 made their college commitments today.
Cincinnati Taft seniors
Adolphus Washington and
Dwayne Stanford announced that they will attend Ohio State and Oregon, respectively.
They announced their decisions during an on-campus press conference at Taft that was streamed live by FoxSports Ohio.
Washington, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end, is rated the No. 57 prospect in the MaxPreps Top 100. He recorded 23.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered another and had an interception in 10 games this season.
"I kind of had my mind made up once I made my official visit," Washington said. "They (Ohio State) showed me there's so much more they had to offer besides football."
Washington, who spoke with Ohio State head coach Luke Fickell this morning, was also considering Michigan State, Alabama and Cincinnati, among others.
Stanford, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-4 wide receiver rated No. 96 in the MaxPreps Top 100. As a senior, he had 32 receptions for 720 yards – an average of 22.5 yards per catch – and nine touchdowns. He is considered the No. 8 wideout in the class of 2012, according to CBS/MaxPreps recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. Also a defensive back, Stanford had two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Throughout the recruiting process, Stanford and Washington professed their desire to go to the same school and be "a package deal," as Stanford called it.
"We really wanted to go to the same school, but last week I took a trip out to Eugene and decided that was the best place for me," Stanford said. "I wanted to see what they could give me outside of football, and I felt Oregon is where I had my best opportunity."
Stanford, who was also considering Ohio State and Cincinnati, said he liked that Chip Kelly tries to get the ball to his receivers in space, while Washington said he expects to see the field as a freshman.
"I believe Urban Meyer's a good coach and that he'll give me an opportunity," said Washington, who thinks Meyer will be the next coach at Ohio State.
Washington and Stanford are also standout basketball players. They led Taft to an Ohio Division III state title as juniors. Washington, who said his second choice was Cincinnati, is open to playing basketball at Ohio State.
"If they let me, I would," Washington said.
"Not me," Stanford joked. "I'll be a one-sport guy."
Washington plans to study nursing, while Stanford is considering business as a major.
This past season, Stanford and Washington helped Taft to a 7-4 record and a share of a league title in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference. Both players have committed to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7 in San Antonio.
