The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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porate his love for cars and teaching into some future venture. "I want to give back to my commu- nity," Washington said. "One thing I know is, college is not for everybody. I want to give people, whatever age, some type of trade that is going to help them throughout life, so they won't have reason to say they can't do something, because they didn't go to school. They'll have a trade. "I'm really into cars. I love cars, and hunting. I love it. My dream car is a 1972 Chevelle SS. I love cars — it's my passion." And Michigan, he believes, was his intended fate. ing a starting defensive tackle for the Wolverines. From offense to defense, from one coaching staff to another, he found himself bounced about like a pinball. Through it all, he just kept pushing. Now, with nine starts under his belt, along Washington Finds The Field In A Key Role Quinton Washington shakes his head over the winding road he took to becom- with a bowl game and fifth-year senior season to come, he's blasted through the wall. "It was really difficult, " wouldn't get it. Some days it would click, some days it wouldn't. It was just some- thing you had to keep practicing — every day, every day, honing it every single day. Every day you'd step on the field, you had to just keep pounding. Earlier this season, Michigan coaches started talking about the big bruiser out " Washington said. "There were days where I'd think I just of South Carolina. They haven't stopped. "Q is a pretty strong man," U-M head coach Brady Hoke said. "His confidence level has grown unbelievably. I think he's really just finding out what he can do. It's fun to see the development. It takes some confidence, especially with guys who haven't played many snaps, and now you're the start- ing nose tackle at Michigan replacing Mike Martin. There's a confidence level there. "Quinton keeps improving every game," de- " fensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "He's playing lower, playing with the technique that I talk about. You can see it. There are times now when you see him play a block and you go, 'Boy, that's perfect. That's exactly how. after play after play. It's got to become habit, and that's what your goal is for every player in that defense. Quinton has really worked hard and bought into everything. I'm happy for him." Michigan defensive line coach Jerry Mont- gomery witnessed a breakthrough during the Notre Dame game, when Washington be- gan turning near misses into stops secured. "He'd always be a step away from making a play, and he just wouldn't make it," Montgom- "Like any player, now we've got to do it play ' Both head coach Brady Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison spoke highly of Washington's improved play this season and his growing confidence level. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL ton said. "If it wasn't for my speech being a huge part of my life, I don't know what school I would be at right now. That was a major decision. That was something my parents man- dated. They knew I had a problem. I feel God put that in place, just so I would come here." He knows this much — in a year "I think it was destiny," Washing- and a half, he's leaving Ann Arbor changed forever. ❑ confidence as a player continues to grow. "It's been through the roof, about being out there. You can just tell. Before, if he did get in on a play, it was like, okay, go back to the huddle. "He's more vocal. He speaks. He communicates with the coaches and the other Success breeds success, and Washington's " Montgomery said. "He shows some enthusiasm " players. He tries to help out the younger guys. Before, not as much — almost non-existent. Washington isn't looking back, now. In fact, he's anticipating a leadership role in his final season in a Michigan uniform. "I'm looking forward to it, " bell] and Kenny [Demens] and Craig Roh have been tremendous leaders this year, to keep the defense moving, keep it working, keep us pounding away. Just to follow in their footsteps is a tremendous honor. "I played with Mike Martin. I played with Brandon Graham. Just to see the his- tory of leaders, it's a tremendous honor to be in those shoes next year." " he said. "I'm really looking forward to it. Will [Camp- — John Borton DECEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 27 ery said. "Now he's throwing off blocks and making tackles. Now it's expected. Before you were like, 'Oh, he's going to miss this one, isn't he?' There's no surprise now. You see him split double-teams and make tackles.