Evan Washington is an Influential Leader on the O-Line
For LSU senior offensive guard Evan Washington, playing is everything, but not the only thing. While trying to balance being in a fierce position battle with one of his best friends and former roommate, Washington has managed to prioritize the things that matter most during his final season.
The position battle between Washington and senior Hoko Fanaika was in the making as soon as former LSU offensive guard Trai Turner declared early for the NFL Draft. As the Tigers were still poised to return four out of five starting offensive lineman, the competition between Washington and Fanaika was analyzed closely by all.
Washington, a native of DeSoto, Texas, came into this season with appearances in all 13 games in 2013, including one start against Furman. His best outing last season came when Vadal Alexander went down with an injury against Auburn, inserting Washington into the starting lineup. Washington finished the Auburn game with 58 offensive snaps, accounting for three knockdowns and helping the Tigers pull out a double-digit win.
After the dust cleared from spring practice and fall camp, though, the coaches decided Fanaika had ultimately come out on top of the intense battle. This decision wasn’t questioned or taken negatively by Washington at all; he has remained positive and hopes to contribute to the team’s success in any way possible.
“Hoko is the starting right guard right now. I’m still in the mix with playing time, I’m playing a number of positions,” said Washington. “I wouldn’t want anybody other than Hoko to get it. He’s one of my better friends on this team, we were roommates. We hang out all the time, he’s a good guy.”
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Aside from maintaining their friendship off the field, Washington also explains that the two also benefit from each other on the field. Using each other as prime information sources for their position, they often bounce ideas and questions between one another.
“We help each other a lot. If he asks, I’m never going to tell him to do the wrong thing just to get his position,” Washington explained.
This trust that has been developed is admirable and sets a precedent for the newcomers to the Tigers’ offensive line. The line is a position group that must work as one cohesive unit, always maintaining communication and teamwork. Correspondingly, Washington has taken advantage of the opportunity as a senior to become a greater leader and influential teammate.
“I try to be a leader on and off the field,” Washington said. “The younger guys like (Will) Clapp, (Ethan) Pocic, and (Garrett) Brumfield, I try to help them out. Whether it’s with their steps or with their plays, I help them out and always offer my time.”
Along with his expanded role as a senior leader in the locker room, Washington has continued to embrace a roll on multiple special teams units for the second straight year. It has often been said that games are won and lost based on special teams’ performances, so having a dedicated and experienced contributor like Washington on the field goal and PAT units is a huge asset for the Tigers.
Although Washington treats his responsibilities as an offensive lineman and protector on the field goal team as separate entities, he still draws a few similarities that connect the two.
“You definitely have to be tough and physical on both units,” he said.
Another top priority of Washington’s going into his final season is to stay healthy so that he can fully contribute for the Tigers. Washington has battled multiple injuries during his first four years at LSU, ultimately keeping him off the field. Luckily, these factors seem now to be in the distant past for the optimistic Washington.
“In the past, I had a torn meniscus and a torn ligament,” Washington said. “I don’t really think about it anymore, I’m healthy right now and I’m just trying to stay healthy.”
If Washington can accomplish this goal, it would enhance the Tigers’ chances of making a strong push towards the end of the season. This would require talented depth at every position, especially in the trenches. Fortunately for LSU, Washington provides just that.