How do you stand out on defensive lines that feature NFL draft picks such as John Simon and Michael Bennett, a future NFL selection in Noah Spence and a consensus first-team All-American in Joey Bosa?
That question has hung over the head of Ohio State defensive tackle Adolphus Washington his entire career. It took him four years to find the answer.
Washington came to Columbus as one of the crown jewels of Urban Meyer's first recruiting class in 2012. Rated a 5-star defensive end and Ohio's No. 1 high school prospect, per 247Sports, he joined an Ohio State team with a big skill set, but the expectations he carried were even bigger.
Spence and Bennett hogged the spotlight early in Washington's career before Bosa showed up as a true freshman and took his spot in the starting rotation.
Over the last two seasons, Washington played a complementary role as superstars emerged around him. He didn't bring the intensity in practice, he'd take plays off during games and he doubted whether the fans or coaches wanted him in Columbus, according to Bill Landis of the Plain Dealer.
But the former defensive end turned tackle is bringing a new focus and energy to the field during his senior season.
"Everybody wants to have the type of year that I'm having right now," Washington said, via Landis. "I would've much rather had done this early on in my career, my sophomore year. I just didn't have all my stuff together. I feel like everything is finally starting to come together."
Washington is in the midst of his most impressive and dominant season for the Buckeyes, tallying 37 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks through eight games. He's been an absolute force in the middle of Ohio State's defensive line, anchoring a unit that's performing at a high level.
And after three years of mediocre play, he's blowing his teammates away.
“[Washington] has all the talent in the world; no three-technique can pass rush like he can in college football,” Bosa said, according to Tim Shoemaker of Eleven Warriors. “I don’t believe there is anybody that is as quick and good with his hands. I think he’s finally starting to show what he can do.”
So what triggered the huge turnaround? For starters, he's finally playing the right position.
Washington came to Ohio State in 2012 as a 245-pound weak-side defensive end. He's always been a special athlete—he was an all-state basketball player in high school—and that athleticism made him a dangerous pass-rusher.
But with Spence winning the weak-side defensive end spot in 2013, Washington was bumped to the strong-side position. Five games into the season, Bosa knocked him out of that position, prompting his move to the interior of the line.
Washington put on weight and joined Bennett as a starting defensive tackle in 2014, but he was slotted at the nose tackle position, a role primarily utilized to stuff the run and occupy blockers. That took away his greatest strength as a pass-rusher, but Bennett was the better option at the 3-technique spot.
When Bennett graduated and moved on to the NFL, that allowed Washington to slide over and play in his natural role.
But that alone didn't prompt his rise. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson worked with Washington on his consistency, and Meyer clearly defined his expectations before the season started, according to Dave Biddle of Bucknuts.
The picture Meyer painted for Washington must have been crystal clear, because he's playing like a future first-rounder. In Bleacher Report's latest mock draft from Ryan McCrystal, Washington is projected as the No. 22 overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks.
But to Washington's credit, he's not focusing on where he'll wind up next May. Ohio State's breakout defensive tackle is just working to get better.
“I definitely feel like I’ve made a lot of improvement," Washignton said, via Shoemaker. "My biggest thing is I’ve just gotta be consistent and keep it going.”
David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
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