Mike Washington Jr. Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy Nelson Chenault/IMAGN Images)
School: Arkansas
Class: Redshirt Senior
Position: RB
HT: 6’2
WT: 228 lbs
CLICK HERE TO WATCH MIKE WASHINGTON JR. FILM BREAKDOWN
Background: Mike Washington Jr. was a low 3-star running back in the class of 2021. Out of Cicero, NY, Washington played for Cicero-North Syracuse High School. He was an all-state selection as a junior after rushing for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was an All-CNY selection and the MVP of the regional championship. Mike Washington Jr. chose to play for Buffalo out of high school over UMass, James Madison, and others.
College: Washington Jr. played in 3 games for the Bulls in 2021, rushing for 132 yards and preserving his redshirt status. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Washington played in 13 games and led Buffalo in rushing with 625 yards. His numbers took a big dip in 2023, only running for 362 yards and 2 touchdowns. Washington transferred to New Mexico State for the 2024 season. In his one season there, he ran for 713 yards and 8 touchdowns. For his final season of eligibility, he hopped in the transfer portal and chose to play for Arkansas. As a Razorback, Washington ran for 1,070 yards and 8 touchdowns on his way to an All-SEC Second Team selection.
Strengths: Mike Washington Jr. has a rare physique for the running back position. His height allows him to lower his shoulder with such force into defenders. He combines his size with speed to create an unstoppable force running through the defense. The power he generates with that size and speed combination makes quick work of plowing through defenders. He has eye-popping explosiveness that springs him into rushing lanes once he commits. This burst allows him to remain patient until he knows he can knife through. He is a plus pass protector as he sets a nice foundation to absorb power rushes off the edge.
Weaknesses: Despite having such a powerful frame, he is brought down too easily in open space. Even missed tackles tend to slow his run to a halt. As a runner, he seems stiff and can’t get bendy around the edge. He runs too upright, which contributes to the aforementioned poor contact balance. Mike also has a consistent issue with ball security. Throughout his collegiate career, he fumbled the ball 10 times.
Conclusion: Mike Washington Jr. is a physical specimen who can with his special combination of size and speed. He runs with such violence, making it hard for a defense to deal with for a full 60 minutes. If he can prove that he can hang on to the football, he could demand a heavy workload in the NFL.
Best Team Fits: MIN, KC, WAS
Player Comparison: Derrick Henry
Player Grade: Round 3 (75.0)
