Washington ready to sign after meeting with Bielema

New Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, shown arguing with an official during last season’s Rose Bowl while the coach at Wisconsin, showed a feisty streak during his high school playing days that has carried over into his coaching career.

Junior college cornerback Carroll Washington met with Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema Thursday afternoon and that was good enough for him to say he's totally on board with the Hogs.

Washington, 5-11, 180, 4.4 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Salinas, (Calif.) Hartnell College recently officially visited Mississippi State and was debating between the Hogs and Bulldogs. The meeting with Bielema convinced him he's a Razorback.

"It was basically the meeting and the reaction I got from coach Bielema," Washington said. "He was telling me he really wanted me and he was really eager to meet me as he said over the phone. That first connection after meeting him I felt like Arkansas was the place to be."

The conversation covered many areas, including Bielema's plans to surround the players with the best coaching staff possible.

"It's impressive how he's trying to turn Arkansas around this year," Washington said. "He spoke a lot about the coaches bringing in. It's good to be able to go out on the field and just think about the physical aspect of the football side. It doesn't do anything if you don't have a good teacher to teach you to play with certain technique."

While most teams avoided his side of the field, Washington recorded 25 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 1 recovered fumble.

Washington plans to sign his national letter of intent with Arkansas at his home in Baltimore on Dec. 19.

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