Robby Washington happy he didn't rush to judgement after Miami coaching change

After previous Miami coach Manny Diaz was let go and replaced by Mario Cristobal, Miami (Fla.) Palmetto four-star athlete Robby Washington was faced with a difficult decision. 

Washington, who had committed to Miami under Diaz, was unsure about sticking with the Hurricanes at the time. But after meeting with Cristobal and his staff, he became sold on the program’s new vision and what Cristobal had planned.

“I wasn’t really feeling the commitment (at the time of the change), but when the new coaching staff came in, they were like ‘Come on, why did you decommit? Come back, it’s family, all love over here.’ And when I went to visit, they treated me like family and that’s when I made my decision.”

Washington held over 40 offers from teams such as Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Michigan, and others but decided Miami was the ideal place to be. What Washington loved most about the new staff was their emphasis on everything being earned and not given.

“When I come here (Miami) I have to compete to play,” he said. “They’re not sugarcoating anything. You come in and you got to compete and work hard every day.”

The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder had a break-out season for Miami Killian his junior year. He showed off his versatility, hauling in 19 passes for 515 yards and nine touchdowns as well as rushing for 174 yards on 24 carries with four touchdowns. This summer, Washington made the move to Miami Palmetto with his brother and fellow Miami commit Bobby for their senior season.

“I love my teammates because they’re the kids I played with when I was little at Richmond Park and Tamiami Park,” Washington said about his new school. “We played against each other multiple times. We go head up with each other. It’s a lot of conflict at practice because we’re trying to make each other better. A lot of competition is going on in practice.” 

After his outstanding junior season, Washington is on a mission to prove that he’s one of the top athletes not only in South Florida, but the nation.

“This year they’re trying to compare me to a lot of different players,” he said. “I’m Robby Washington and I’m going to let everybody know that.”

In July, the Hurricanes hosted top recruits and commits for a BBQ and pool party. During the event, Washington made it a priority to talk with fellow commits including quarterback Jaden Rashada, whom he plays with for the Miami Immortals 7-on-7 team. Their relationship is one he wants to continue to grow upon their arrival in Miami.

“I saw a lot of new faces and a lot of the commits that were there and we chopped it up a little bit,” said Washington. “Most of all I wanted to get in touch with (Jaden Rashada and Emory Williams), the two quarterbacks that were there to get the connection already.”

Playing for Miami has been a long-time dream for Washington since he can remember. Now it’s only a matter of time before he is living it out in the orange and green.

“I’m most excited for the transition like to see like what college life is like really about,” he said. “I always asked people how’s it like up there, how’s it like in college? So next year in January, I’ll be seeing for myself.”

CaneSport’s Take

Washington is described as a do-it-all type of guy and has the film and numbers to back it up. After having second thoughts about his commitment, he doubled-downed with the Canes and we don’t expect that to change. He is on a mission his senior year to not only prove to himself but to everyone that he is an elite player. Washington plans on enrolling early at Miami and that should be huge for his development.