Georgia tight end Darnell Washington came to Athens with the hype befitting a player that was considered one of the top recruits in his class.

Outside of some flashes on the field, though, he hasn’t quite lived up to the billing. He appeared in 4 games in 2020 while making 7 catches for 166 yards. In 2021, he missed the final 4 games of the season, and will be out for the spring after suffering a lower leg injury.

In the midst of this, Washington watched true freshman Brock Bowers make an instant impact during the Bulldogs’ championship season as the California native totaled 882 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“I’m happy for my whole team and the tight end group, especially, but it was rough, a bit,” Washington said on Thursday, according to DawgNation. “But my role at that time was cheering on my team, Brock or Stetson (Bennett), or whoever that might be.”

That tight end group in 2022 will include Arik Gilbert, who is back with the team after missing all of 2021. Washington didn’t express worry that he would see limited opportunities in the offense with him, Bowers, and Gilbert competing at the tight end spot.

“It’s just something I have to come back off the injury and work like Brock and Arik and everyone else in the tight end room. We’re all working,” he said.