SoonerScoop video: Woodi Washington explains decision to return to OU
The Family Business with Joe Castiglione Jr. and Isaac Stoops is back this week talking with OU cornerback Woodi Washington.
Washington has been one of the Sooners’ best defensive players in the last five years. Many expected him to enter the NFL Draft following this past season. But having a sixth year, the three-year starter opted to return. Washington told Castiglione Jr. and Stoops that he decided during practices in San Antonio leading up to the Alamo Bowl.
“Something just hit my heart and I was thinking about leaving, entering the draft,” said Washington, who has totaled 201 tackles and five interceptions in his OU career. “But something just hit me and I was like, maybe I should stay for another year. We started practicing a couple of days after that and I just talked to coach (Jay) Valai, coach (Xavier) Brewer, and a couple of the other guys. I just mentioned something about coming back and they were like, ‘We would love it.’”
But Washington’s decision did include one promise from the coaching staff. He wants to play more than just corner, where he’s started for OU the past three seasons. He knows that if he wants to play in the NFL, he will have to play some slot corner and possibly safety. That was his original position out of high school.
“Basically, they’re going to let me play a couple more positions,” Washington said. “(I’m going) try and play some more inside. Not just only playing corner. That was really the main thing because at the next level, I feel like I can play inside and outside so it’ll just be more of a versatile thing for me to do.
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“Me, personally, I feel like I could be a better safety than I am corner just based off my speed and different things like that. I feel like I play a lot better off ball.”
Washington was also enticed to stay after the decisions of safety Billy Bowman and linebacker Danny Stutsman, who each opted to return instead of entering the draft. OU will have one of the most experienced defenses in the country next season because of each of their decisions, giving them the hope to have a great defense.
“Those are some of the best guys in the country,” Washington said. “Obviously, Billy had what? Five interceptions last year? Three returned for touchdowns. And Danny Stutsman obviously speaks for himself. Those guys are leaders of the team. And, you know, we kind of talked about it… After I had seen they were coming back, I was like, shoot, I think we can have another shot to chase a championship.”
Washington talked about a variety of topics with Castiglione Jr. and Stoops, including Gentry Williams’ health, which young cornerbacks have impressed him, his thoughts on NIL and what he hopes to do after football.
Watch the full interview here.
