Darnell Washington on emotions of dealing with injuries during Georgia's national title run

Last season was a frustrating one for Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington. Washington dealt with a foot injury at the start of last year, and he did not return to action until October. As Washington was sidelined, Brock Bowers emerged as a star in the Georgia tight end room.

Even though his season was cut short, Washington embraced his role last year as he worked his way back to full strength.

“I’m happy for my whole team, but the tight end group especially,” Washington said. “But I mean I guess it was rough a little bit. It’s just nothing like that I couldn’t handle. My role at that time was training my team, and that’s Brock or Stetson or whoever it may be. So I was just doing my role, team player.”

CLICK HERE to get 30% OFF your Georgia Bulldogs National Championship apparel

Last season, Washington ultimately caught ten passes for 154 yards and one touchdown, averaging 15.4 yards per reception. He had one reception in Georgia’s win over Alabama in the National Championship.

Washington came to Georgia as a highly touted recruit in the tight end room. He was rated as a five-star prospect in the 2020 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. The On3 Consensus also lists Washington as the second tight end in the 2020 class and a national top 20 recruit overall.

Washington is looking for a bigger role in a crowded Georgia tight end room

Next season, Georgia returns Bowers and also gets back former LSU transfer Arik Gilbert, who is expected to remain at tight end instead of transitioning to wide receiver. As a freshman at LSU, Gilbert caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns. He stepped away from Georgia’s team after transferring there last season, but now returns.

In 14 games last season, Bowers hauled in 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns, turning into arguably the top tight end in all of college football as a true freshman. He also added one rushing touchdown.

Bowers will undoubtedly remain as Georgia’s top option in the passing offense next season. But having depth on offense is important. The Bulldogs will likely use Bowers and Gilbert heavily in the passing game, but there is room for Washington to grow into a larger role as well.

As a true freshman in 2020, Washington caught seven passes for 166 yards, averaging 23.7 yards per reception. The Bulldogs went 14-1 last season, winning the national title. As Georgia looks to repeat, Washington is trying to prove himself after he works himself back to full strength.