Ohio States' No. 3 Wide Receiver in 2010: Taurian Washington or Duron Carter?

By Will Frasure—Featured Contributor


With the third receiver spot open this fall, the two players battling for it took vastly different paths to get there.

On one side of the coin, senior Taurian Washington has waited four long years for a chance to crack the lineup, and even contemplated transferring because of it.

The Orchard Lake, Mich., native has consistently performed during the spring and had 88 yards and a game-winning touchdown in this year's spring game.

Flip the coin over and you'll see a different story.

Sophomore Duron Carter is arguably the second-most talented Buckeye wide receiver behind DeVier Posey.

A tall, athletic receiver who runs great routes, Carter has the ability to be a big-time threat for the Buckeyes.

While he can excel on the field, the young receiver can't get it done in the classroom.

When Ohio State was throwing all over Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Carter could have made a major impact.

But due to academic problems, Carter was thousands of miles away, watching the game from his sofa in Florida after being ruled ineligible for the game.

He said he would get his stuff together going into spring camp, but once again was on the sidelines when March came around.

While he was out, Washington excelled in the spring and capped it off with a great performance for the Gray team during the spring game.

With Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher securing the first two spots, Jim Tressel faces a tough decision when fall opens.

Does he reward the kid who has paid his dues during his years as a Buckeye?

Or does he choose the talented but undisciplined Carter, who undoubtedly would be a threat in the Buckeye passing game.

Although Carter's talent might be intriguing, I believe Tressel has to give Washington the leg up.

It's still up in the air whether Carter will even be able to play this fall. With all the headaches he's caused, Tressel can send the youngster a message by sitting him if he's eligible.

Washington deserves the chance to play, too. Although he may have blown his chance with a few drops in the Navy game last season, the senior has earned the right to play.

Lamaar Thomas and Washington debated transferring all last season as the season dragged on without them seeing the field. When Thomas bolted for New Mexico, Washington decided to stick it out for the Buckeyes.

If I'm Tressel, I reward the guy for sticking it out. I also use his progression as a lesson to Carter, who has been handed everything but taken it all for granted.

Yeah, Carter might be much more talented and a better threat in the Buckeye offense, but he has to be taught a lesson. If he gets his act together and performs well in the fall, he can break his way into the lineup late in the season.

But when fall camp rolls around, I hope Tressel makes the right decision. Go with the kid who's done everything right to earn the spot, not the one who's done the exact opposite.


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