Meyer’s talk got Washington on track

Adolphus Washington had his wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday. For once this season, the Ohio State defensive tackle suffered pain instead of inflicting it.

His senior year has been a breakout one for Washington. He had been a solid player in his first three seasons but not a dominant one.

“As a freshman and sophomore, he was kind of a good player who played too many plays and (would) take a play off,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said.

Last year, Washington switched to nose guard to free up Michael Bennett to play the three-technique position (outside an offensive guard), which allows for more playmaking opportunities because nose guards take on more double-team blocks.

Washington was happy to play nose guard, but it’s not his natural position. With his girth and great quickness, he is a prototype three-technique.

But if Washington needed an extra push to inspire him to deliver on his considerable potential, Meyer was happy to give it.

Washington, along with his father and defensiveline coach Larry Johnson, met with Meyer in the offseason. Meyer didn’t mince words when discussing how crucial Washington’s final season would be in determining his NFL draft stock.

“It was a tough conversation,” Washington said on Wednesday. “Coach Meyer didn’t hold any punches, even with my dad in there. He said what he had to say. He got his point across.

“My dad and I talked the other day that Coach Meyer knows what he’s doing. He has coached a lot of first-round draft pick D-linemen, so you’re either going to listen to him or you aren’t.”

Johnson showed Washington video of high 2014 draft picks Aaron Donald, Timmy Jurnigan and Ra’Shede Hageman to demonstrate how consistent those players were.

“Basically, Coach Meyer said when you learn to play like those guys every day, you can be a firstround draft pick,” Washington said.

Washington has been a disruptive force all season. He has 37 tackles, including 51⁄ for loss, with three sacks. He also intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against Western Michigan.

“I definitely appreciate it — a chance to show my skill set a little bit,” Washington said of playing three-technique. “I just feel I can help the team better at that position.”

Now, many mock drafts have him as a possible first-round pick.

“I’m seeing him really go now,” Meyer said.

He credited Johnson for much of Washington’s development.

“Larry Johnson is such a fine coach,” Meyer said. “The fundamentals that Larry Johnson is instilling in Adolphus, you can actually see him using them and getting himself out of situations.”

But Washington isn’t satisfied just yet.

“I feel my season is going a lot better than last year,” he said, “but there’s always room for improvement.”