2017 QB Delvin Washington gets a fresh start

His junior season almost didn't happen for Delvin Washington. The 6-3, 230-pound quarterback was forced to leave his former school, Harper Woods (Mich.) Chandler Park Academy, due to disciplinary reasons, jeopardizing his eligibility for the upcoming season.

He has since found a new home, and a perfect situation at Detroit East English Village Prep, who was in need of a quarterback. Washington had been practicing all spring and summer with the Bulldogs, and it wasn't until earlier this week that he found out that he would be able to suit up for them this season.

"Coach Oden texted me and my mom that night, saying I was eligible to play," Washington said of his new head coach at EEVP, Rod Oden. "I was very happy when he told me the news, because this is a very important season for me and my team."

For a prospect like Washington, who with his stature, and cannon of an arm, certainly has Division aspirations and tools. So losing out on arguably the most important year of his high school career would have been detrimental to his recruitment. Washington earned all-state honors last season in Division 3, and was looking to build off that success in 2015.

"I was mad everyday I went to practice," Washington said. "I kept thinking about it because I know this is an important season, and going into my junior year with no offers I needed this year to play."

Now that Washington is officially eligible to play this season, he's a huge pick up for EEVP, both literally and figuratively. He has great size, and a skill set that will allow them to compete with Detroit King and Detroit Cass Tech this season at the quarterback position. EEVP's Achilles Heel in the city has been King and Cass Tech, and Washington knows that if they want to make any noise this season, they'll have to bring their best against those two. He's been doing his part, growing an inch, and dropping some weight.

"My off-season has been going good," he said. "I've been working everyday, getting better, and learning the playbook.

"I have been working out more and running more, trying to get my speed up, and I've been putting on extra work, something I didn't do last year."

With his size and talented arm, Washington might be the best class of 2017 quarterback in the state. He has Division I potential, but his recruitment has been slow, which is why he's been banking on a productive junior season to bolster his interest from colleges.

"It's being going slow, but I know it will pick up this season," Washington said of being recruited. "This is a very important year for me, and I think it will pick up more now that I'm at East English Village.

"I had gotten some mail from Michigan since I've been here, and I hope to hear from Western Michigan and Toledo."

Junior year highlights: