TCU Football Countdown: 41 Days

Daryl Washington burst on to the scene in 2009 as a senior, when he started all 13 games for TCU - marking the first time in his career that he had been a full time starter. With excellent speed and good instincts in coverage, Washington became an absolute beast in his last season as a Frog - racking up 109 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions.

Washington had some memorable moments in that 2009 season - one that saw TCU go undefeated in the regular season, knocking off Virginia and Clemson (in a torrential downpour) on the road in the preseason and then absolutely dominating the Mountain West in conference play. Daryl played his best in the biggest games for the Frogs - he had a touchdown saving chase down tackle of Clemson's speedy CJ Spiller and led the team in tackles (with seven) in the Frog's shellacking of #16 Utah at home (which still stands in many minds as the biggest and best game at Amon G in TCU history). Washington was named a first team All-American and made Sporting News' All Bowl team off of his ten tackle, 3.5 TFL performance against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, the first BCS Bowl for TCU.

While Daryl would graduate before the Rose Bowl season, he paved the way for the 2010 team's success, and his early pro success was a boon for recruiting. One of the best all around linebackers in the NFL, Washington served a one year suspension for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy last season, but is eligible to apply for reinstatement. Issue free while at TCU - as far as we know - Washington's personal struggles since his graduation have not kept Frog fans from rooting for him. Best of luck to a talented athlete whom we hope to see back on the field soon.