Why Woodi Washington returned for sixth season with OU football: 'Just trying to have more value' (2024)

NORMAN — Why did Woodi Washington come back to Oklahoma for a sixth season of college football, rather than declare for the 2024 NFL Draft?

“Just trying to have more value, play as many positions as I can as far as the next level,” the veteran defender explained after a recent OU practice.

Washington, a battle-scarred starting cornerback for the 2023 Sooners, played the most snaps of any OU defender last season (851), according to Pro Football Focus.

His return only deepens the experience of a vetted Oklahoma defense that also brings back linebacker Danny Stutsman (722 snaps), safety Billy Bowman (781) and defensive end Ethan Downs (529) among many proven contributors.

There’s mutual benefit in the return for Washington, a former four-star recruit from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and one of OU’s long standing locker room leaders.

Oklahoma’s coaching staff has granted him the opportunity to play multiple positions in 2024, increasing his versatility, and thus his appeal to NFL teams.

In spring practice, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder is working at cornerback, safety and Cheetah, the hybrid nickelback/linebacker spot in head coach Brent Venables’ defensive scheme.

“I went to them,” Washington said of how the conversations about cross training started. “It was kind of around the time of the bowl game last year when I first thought about coming back and once they said that it was a go, I was all in for it.

“I didn’t even ask about a draft grade at all. I just was at home one day and thought about it and decided to come back. I played safety as a freshman so it wasn’t something new to me but I’ve played corner for however long and didn’t get any safety reps. I feel like I can play any position in the secondary but (it’s about) having more value.”

So far, moving around is going well for Washington, who made 48 tackles and seven pass breakups last season.

“(Safeties coach Brandon Hall) does a great job coaching, also (co-defensive coordinators Zac Alley and Jay Valai), they coach the nickels. They’re doing a great job, just trying to make sure I’m learning everything and I’m just trying to compete and learn as many positions as I can.”

Playing the Cheetah spot has led to a breakout for an OU defender each of the past two seasons.

Linebacker DaShaun White posted a career year there in 2022 and Kendel Dolby, who’s training at corner and cheetah for the Sooners this spring, was a standout at Cheetah last year.

Washington is enjoying learning the new position.

“It’s been fun,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s still playing defensive back. With the safety reps, it’s a little bit different than corner, just being more in space. As far as a corner goes, you’re really in slight space every rep but I think at safety it’s kind of like the quarterback of the defense so it’s been great.

“Just as far as safety goes, I feel like you’re just more in space. You’re not really having to guard anybody or run with a receiver every rep. Just in your own space and like I said, you’re like the quarterback of the defense, especially playing strong safety. You’re really not guarding anybody as much, you’re just jumping into zones and making tackles in the open field.”

Washington has taken notice of how much deeper and knowledgeable the Sooners’ secondary is this spring, after he was forced to play so many snaps last season due to a lack of experience around him.

“Guys like Dez Malone and Eli Bowen coming in, he’s playing a lot of positions for us right now and guys like Kendel Dolby even,” Washington said. “Those guys can play nickel, they can go outside and play everything, along with Peyton Bowen, he can go back and play safety and come down and play nickel.

“So, the competitive depth that we have this year, it’s unbelievable and I don’t think we’ve had that since I’ve been here. It hasn’t been even close to that.”

Malone, a San Diego State transfer, who will likely start at cornerback, opposite Tulsa Booker T. Washington product Gentry Williams, has really flashed this spring.

“Dez has been a great player for us,” Washington said. “He’s coming along, I’m helping him learn corner and he’s doing a great job. Dez comes from San Diego State so the coaches are a little different but we’re just trying to teach him and makes sure he understands everything he needs to know.”

Washington also believes another spring in Venables’ system has brought out the best in Dolby, who started his career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

“He’s been great for us,” Washington said. “He’s just coming along, learning and trying to make sure he knows all the small details, he’s becoming more of a leader for us as far as his communication goes on the field and off the field. So he’s been great for us, especially this spring.”

The hope is that one last ride in college will also bring about the best for Washington, who seeks to maximize his professional opportunities.

Venables likes what he sees so far as Washington rotates in and out of drills at different positions, leading his teammates no matter where he’s playing.

“It’s all easy to him,” Venables said. “Again, (he has) an eagerness to have a great role and show, again, versatility. He’s done some of that in the past but more of it now than ever. Corner is, it’s one of the hardest positions to play, but from an Xs and Os standpoint, not really difficult. That part’s good.

“He still plays both every day, inside and outside, so really excited where he’s at. He’s a leader, he’s a tough guy, he’s always making guys better. He’s a guy that’s going to celebrate all of his teammates’ success all the time.”

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