Nevada football picks up in-state, multi-sport athlete
LAS VEGAS (BVM) – Dion Washington said he always watched Nevada football games growing up as a kid. So when the Wolfpack became the first Division I program to offer the Shadow Ridge High School multi-sport athlete a scholarship, it made for a special moment.
“Just talking to them for about a month or two, it just felt right to connect with them,” Washington said. “They were recruiting me hard and I could tell they really wanted me to go to that school. At the end of the day, I felt like it was the right thing to do.
“As a little kid, I always watched Nevada games so I always thought it’d be cool to play for them. I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else other than my home state.”
702✈️ 775
Committed 🐺💙 pic.twitter.com/DDEst4x2ZS— Dion Washington (@dtw_54) June 21, 2020
Washington is a two-star recruit, the No. 23 prospect in the state of Nevada and the third Wolfpack commit out of high school from Las Vegas under head coach Jay Norvell. The defensive end had 20 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks as a junior last season.
In addition to competing in football and track and field, Washington wrestles on one of the best programs in the state. Shadow Ridge finished second at state as a team while Washington earned a second-place finish at regionals before being knocked out at state.
But it’s here on the mat where Washington has picked up valuable skills and made tangible improvements in his game on the gridiron.
“Wrestling has helped a lot with balance and just understanding hand placement,” Washington said. “Last year, it helped a whole bunch with conditioning and just everything all around.”
Washington is the third defensive linemen in Nevada’s 2021 class for a unit that will be in need after graduating three projected starters on the line this season. At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Washington has the size, versatility and willingness to play either defensive end or tackle for the Wolfpack.
“Whatever (position) puts me in the best position to get better, it doesn’t matter to me,” he said.
The goal for Washington is to earn playing time with the Wolfpack and a shot at the next level, but the latter won’t come until the Shadow Ridge senior has met his own academic expectations.
“I’ve already told myself that I’m going to get a degree first; that’s above anything,” Washington said. “After that, if things can get me to the next level, I’m definitely going there.”
