Freshman Spotlight: Georgia RB Washaun Ealey

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Washaun Ealey is out of Emanuel County Institute in Twin City, Ga where he was a Parade All-American, SuperPrep All-American and the Class 1-A Player of the Year in 2008.

In 2007, Ealey became the only underclassman to ever win the GSWA’s Player of the Year Award as a Junior when he rushed for 2,982 yards and a state record 58 TDs.

The 5′11″, 205-pound RB only seriously considered two schools: Georgia and Florida. Thankfully for coach Richt, the Dawgs won out in the end.

Ealey finished his high school career with 8,105 rushing yards and a state record 138 TDs.

He was listed on Rivals.com as a four-star athlete and the No. 11 RB in the country and Scout.com had him listed as a four-star athlete and the No. 15 ranked RB in the country.

Ealey’s 4.45 speed in the 40-yard dash, with his size, gives him a great combination of speed and power. Throughout his high school career he showed the ability to run down hill, but also the ability to hit the corner and take it to the house.

According to georgiadogs.com, coach Richt stated, “I like how Washaun looks. He’s good looking player, he runs with a great center of gravity and he looks like he isn’t going to get knocked off his feet very easily.”

With there being a total of five RB’s trying to win the starting job, will Ealey be able to get on the field as a freshman? Or will he end up being red-shirted?

The way Ealey has been practicing and carrying himself so far during fall camp, he is sure to work his way up the depth chart. He might not be the primary back, but with the effort he is putting out coach Richt will find a way to get him some carries.

Two years ago a red-shirt freshman wearing No. 24 stole many a Dawg fan’s heart, reminding them of the good ‘ol days of Herschel. In 2009, Ealey will be wearing No. 24 hoping to follow in Knowshon’s footsteps. Will he be able to steal hearts of the fans the way Walker and Moreno did?

If Caleb King and company can’t get the job done, I’m sure we will find out very quickly if he is the real deal.

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