Reports: Washington commits to LSU for 2010

• By SCOTT HOTARD
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Jul 15, 2009 - Page: 1C

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LSU football appears to have landed another Class of 2010 commitment. A big one, to be sure.

Evan Washington, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive tackle, delivered LSU coach Les Miles a pledge Tuesday morning, according to Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com.

Washington’s commitment makes three for the Tigers from the Dallas area. The DeSoto High lineman joins Mckinney quarterback Zach Lee and Mike Davis, a wide receiver at Skyline in Dallas.

According to the Internet-based reports, Washington picked LSU over Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. He had scholarship offers from several other BCS schools, including Miami, Nebraska and Auburn.

How many commitments that gives LSU depends on the status of Loganville (Ga.) running back Storm Johnson, who announced his intentions to be a Tiger two weeks ago.

Johnson said then he’d committed to Larry Porter, the LSU running backs coach. But he hadn’t spoken to Miles.

On a recruiting visit to Baton Rouge this past weekend, Johnson was expected to celebrate his 17th birthday by making the commitment official.

But recruiting Web sites that cover LSU have the school with 16 commitments, not including Johnson on their lists.

Loganville coach Eric Godfrey said Johnson, one of the South’s top running backs, had few answers when they spoke following the prospect’s weekend visit. Johnson could not be reached for comment.

“I really don’t have much insight into it,” Godfrey said. “When I talked to him, he said, ‘I’m going to LSU, but I was advised to wait.’ I really don’t know what’s going on.”

By landing Washington’s commitment, LSU won a recruiting battle for a player with bloodlines and upside.

Washington is the son of former NFL defensive end Marvin Washington, who played 11 seasons with the Jets, 49ers and Broncos. But the younger Washington didn’t begin playing football until last season.

Quickly emerging as a national prospect, Washington — the center on DeSoto’s basketball team — helped lead the Eagles to a district football title in Claude Mathis’ first year as coach.