Mike Washington Prospect Profile
Background
Mike Washington Jr. grew up in Utica, New York, where boxing was his first sport before his father asked him, when he was eight, if he wanted to play football instead. His father's job relocation brought the family to the Syracuse area before his junior year, and he transferred to Cicero-North Syracuse High School, playing the first two games of that season at wide receiver before coaches moved him to the backfield. As a junior, he rushed for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns, earned All-State and All-CNY honors, and they named him MVP of the Regional Championship Game. COVID, which limited his senior year, led to him being recruited to Buffalo. He redshirted in 2021, led the Bulls in rushing as a redshirt freshman in 2022 with 625 yards and seven touchdowns, including a program-record 92-yard run. Then a high ankle sprain hampered his 2023 season. He transferred to New Mexico State for 2024, rushed for 725 yards and eight touchdowns, then transferred again to Arkansas. Analysts predicted he would be third on the depth chart. Proving them wrong, he started all 12 games in 2025, rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns, and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors. With his eligibility up, he left Fayetteville and entered the 2026 NFL draft.
Physical Attributes
There is one standout trait of Mike Washington Jr, and it is his speed, 4.33 40 speed. He has a quick first step and a burst that turns him into a home run hitter. He does not carry that speed well through breaks, or through contact. In fact, his contact balance is average at best, and most hits below his waist stop him entirely. His strength is not great either, and while able to fight for a few extra yards, he cannot stand up in pass blocking situations.
Data and Tape Analysis
If you are unfamiliar with my RB radar charts, you can find more information here
I mentioned it above, but Mike Washington is currently one thing, a home run hitter. He does not strike out too often, but his play is a ton of singles and home runs. His yards per attempt would be higher, but the Arkansas offensive line really let him down.
When Washington Jr sees a hole, he can get small, and get through it in a hurry. There seems to be a tick of hesitation before deciding where to go that helps let the defense back into the picture, but he is not making the wrong decisions. Once through that hole, he can be 20 yards gone in an instant. In today's NFL, where everyone is fighting for explosives, Mike Washington Jr. can give teams just that.
I mentioned in his physical profile his general contact balance and play strength, and for someone his size, it is disappointing. Trying to tackle Washington high will cause him bouncing off and continuing, but he falls over the moment someone touches his legs. Watching someone so big get tackled easily is rather odd.
His pass blocking is also very poor because of the slight hesitation in decision-making he has, lack of play strength, and awareness. He might as well have waved his jersey at defenders and said, "Ole" on half of his reps. That, combined with mediocre receiving ability, will limit his role early in his career.
Grade and Outlook
Mike Washington Jr has some obvious holes in his game. Pass blocking and receiving will never be strengths, but putting a foot in the ground and running past people will be. That skill is worth a lot, and his other complementary skills as a runner allow for a solid base with potential upside. It is hard not to bet on a player who had a 20+ yard carry in all but three of his games against an SEC schedule on one of the worst teams in the SEC.
Grade: 5.6 (Late 2nd Rounder / Early 3rd Rounder)