MIAMI FOOTBALL

Washington now a key cog along defensive line

NASIR WASHINGTON

By MIKE SMITH
Graduation and portal moves have brought big changes to Miami's 2025 squad. It is exciting and perhaps a little scary at the same time. Count Nasir Washington in the "excited" group.
Of the questions that need to be answered, many concern the offensive and defensive lines. That is where many of the less-experienced players will soon be facing what Head Coach Chuck Martin has called a "trial by fire" before 76,000-plus fans at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. 
"That will be a . . . 

---

. . . big challenge, but a lot of guys that are in my grade are used to it." Washington said. "We've had huge ... openers (before). It really doesn't scare me. ... We're going to go out there and compete no matter who is across from us."

WORKING HIS WAY UP
The 6-4, 270-pound redshirt senior logged nine starts and played in 13 games last year. The nine starts were a big jump for Washington, who has worked his way up the depth chart. 
"It's been a journey for sure. I came in with a lot of talented D-tackles ...so I was behind them for quite a while. I started working my way up ... and getting more and more reps each year," he recalled.  

"I wouldn't change it for the world. Those guys taught me so many lessons ... It made me a better athlete to (put) me where I am today."

Like many of his teammates, the MAC Championship game loss to Ohio left Washington anxious for 2025. "I haven't really played a game since December," Washington said after the recent practice for the public. "I was really looking forward to fall camp and putting the pads on."

LEARNING SYSTEM, MAKING PLAYS
In addition to Washington, MU will also benefit from the experience of Adam Trick. The redshirt junior starts at one end after appearing in 14 games with three starts in 2024. Roosevelt Andrews III and Josh Lukusa, both redshirt juniors, will also start up front but have limited previous experience. 

According to Washington, the collective work of a D-line is just as important as what goes on with an offensive line. "You need that chemistry," he said. "You're working on stunts. You'e working on a lot of movements . . . You've got to communicate (with a lot of people)."

With so many less-experienced players in the mix," the chemistry was a little rough at first. 

"Watching them in spring ball," Washington said. "A lot of guys didn't understand how the D-line works -- all together and as a group -- how we can make plays for each other." He noted that Miami coaches prefer linemen to do more than just fill gaps and have the linebackers make plays. "It's for the D-linemen to make plays, as well." 

SPRING, FALL PROGRESS
Between coaching and sage advice from teammates, the younger/less experienced talent seems to have progressed.

"I've seen a tremendous amount of progress in these young guys," Washington said. "Spring ball and fall camp has been a big jump for them. They continue to progress, and I am excited to see what they do in the next few games, as well."