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By Mary Kay Cabot
February 25, 2009
Washington dazzles: Another Ohio State cornerback, Donald Washington, helped himself considerably. Washington, who came out early, topped everyone with a 45-inch vertical leap and a broad jump of 11 feet, three inches. He beat Connecticut cornerback Darius Butler by two inches in the vertical jump and one inch in the broad jump. Both marks are near the top of all-time Combine records.
Washington's showing didn't surprise James Laurinaitis.
"Donald is a freak," Laurinaitis said. "To me, Donald is a first-round talent that someone is going to pick up in later rounds, just because of some of the things he had to deal with since he's been here (two-game suspension for violating an unspecified team rule). Talent-wise, Donald is one of the best corners in the country. He's going to make some team and be a gem for somebody."
Hartline too: OSU receiver Brian Hartline, another junior eligible, was first among all players with a 10.92 clocking in the 60-yard shuttle. He was second in the three-cone drill in 6.62 seconds and fourth in the 20-yard shuttle in 4.12. That means Ohio State players won three of the seven Combine drills.
