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Spring Practice Report: Jeff Banks pushing young tight end Jordan Washington

by:RT Young•about 16 hours
Jordan Washington, Trey Moore
Jordan Washington, Trey Moore (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

The tight end blocking drills at Texas Football’s first spring practice were a sight. Redshirt freshman Jordan Washington out of Langham Creek has massive shoes to fill with Gunnar Helm and J’Tavion Sanders headed to the NFL. It’s clear that tight ends coach Jeff Banks realizes Washington is key to the Longhorns success more than anyone.

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Banks was relentless with Washington in blocking drills during the media’s viewing window. At one point, I heard him yell, “You can’t move like that if you want to block Trey Moore!” But when Washington moved his feet and showed physicality, Banks was effusive in his praise. Banks was tough on veteran Spencer Shannon too, who looks every bit of his reported 6’7”, 250 pounds. Freshman Emaree Winston out of Calhoun, Georgia, took the third-most reps after Washington and Shannon.

Helm and Sanders have delivered huge seasons for Texas tight ends three years running. Banks squeezed every last drop of talent and potential out of Helm and Sanders. The two tight ends were key cogs in the offense and weapons for Quinn Ewers. With Arch Manning now leading Steve Sarkisian’s offense, the Longhorns can’t afford a steep drop in production. Sarkisian and Banks have said multiple times that tight end is the most important position in their pro-style offense other than quarterback.

It was reported by Inside Texas in 2021 and 2022 just how hard Banks coached Sanders, now with the Carolina Panthers, when he was learning the position out of Denton Ryan. I was reminded of that while watching Washington today. When Banks didn’t like a rep, an expletive would fly, and Washington would have to repeat it. He’s the only tight end who I saw do two, three reps in a row. Washington did get much more right than he got wrong.

It’s worth noting that Sanders needed a full year before he broke through because he was completely new to the position. Luckily for Washington, he played tight end in high school and has already spent a year in the program. The learning curve won’t be as steep. Washington showed great concentration finishing a catch off an Arch Manning throw I saw and looks the part.

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After one practice, he might be feeling it mentally and physically. But if he follows the path of Sanders and Helm, Banks’ tough coaching will pay dividends in Austin and beyond.

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