Former Razorback Ty Washington gives Arkansas fans bulletin board material ahead of Notre Dame game
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Former Arkansas tight end Ty Washington had a disappointing finish to his tenure with the Razorbacks.
Washington was dismissed from the team in late October after appearing in 7 prior games throughout the campaign. A dispute over going into a game shortly after learning his grandmother was going to hospice was at the heart of the falling out between Washington and Arkansas. He later said he would change how he handled the situation if he could get a do-over, but had nothing but love for Arkansas. Last December, Washington committed to transfer to Notre Dame and he has been learning Mike Denbrock’s offense in the months since.
On Friday, Washington spoke with local reporters in South Bend for the first time and reflected on his move from Fayetteville to Notre Dame. He spoke of the importance of mental health awareness and of the differences between Denbrock’s offense and that of Arkansas coordinator Bobby Petrino.
At one point, Washington was asked to compare Notre Dame to Arkansas. He reflected on the locker room, highlighting the difference between a 7-6 team and a 14-2 team that plays for a national title.
“At Arkansas, after practice, everybody would just leave 15 minutes after you get back in from practice,” Washington said. “The coaches are different. I just love it [at Notre Dame].”
Washington will return to Arkansas with his new teammates in September. The Razorbacks host the Fighting Irish on the heels of back-to-back road trips. That game offers Washington a chance to be around Razorback fans again — something he’s looking forward to — but he may have given some bulletin board material to the team in discussing the homecoming.
“It’s going to be great,” Washington said. “Even though it ended badly, I love the fan base, and I love everything that was there. The players, I still love the players and love a few of the coaches.
“They get loud. The fanbase gets in there quick. Student section gets in there fast. But if you really shut them out quick, it’ll be done. The fanbase will be quiet. Everybody [will] go home. It’s too hot. It’s too hot at Arkansas. So everybody wants to go home if they lose.”
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
