College Students, get a year of HawgBeat coverage for just $11.95. Request details via email from your school account (.edu) to nchavanelle@yahoo.com.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe for free for 30 days w/code HAWGS30
NEW USERS | RETURNING USERS
SPRINGDALE — Although his name is in the transfer portal, Curtis Washington Jr. may not be done playing at Arkansas after all.
The West Memphis native has been contacted by schools at every level - Division I, Division II and JUCO - and from across the country, but there’s still a good chance he pulls his name out of the portal and returns to Fayetteville next season.
“I plan on staying, to be honest with you,” Washington told HawgBeat. “I do plan on staying, but if any better offers come, then I’ll take it.”
Going into the portal in the first place was likely due to the major roster crunch on the horizon for head coach Dave Van Horn. With the MLB Draft being shortened to only five rounds and the NCAA granting eligibility relief across the board, there will be a surplus of talent for what is usually a limited number of spots in 2021.
Many players will likely join them, but seven Razorbacks saw that coming and started the process of finding a new school in the two months immediately following the cancelation of the season. Washington was among them, as Van Horn wanted to give him a chance to explore his options.
“With everything that’s going on with the coronavirus and the season getting canceled, Coach called me and he couldn’t promise me every day playing time again next season,” Washington said. “He wants me to play every day, but he does think I could beat out somebody to play. It’s not a for sure thing that I’m transferring, but he did want me to test the waters and see if there were any better options out there for me.”
With the Razorbacks, Washington was utility player off the bench. Defensively, he could play in the outfield or third base, plus he was used as a pinch hitter and pinch runner. In 36 career appearances, Washington made seven starts and went 13 for 39 (.333) with three doubles, one triple, two home runs and five RBIs at the plate. He was also successful on 4 of 5 stolen base attempts.
Although he’s played in each of the last two seasons, Washington would be able to play one year at a junior college if he wants to take that route because of the eligibility relief granted by both the NCAA and NJCAA for the shortened 2020 season.
As a third-year player, Washington is eligible for the 2021 MLB Draft next summer, so the primary factor in his decision-making process is going somewhere that would allow him to play enough to potentially get noticed by scouts.
One thing working in Arkansas’ favor is that the NCAA recently relaxed its roster restrictions, completely eliminating the 35-man roster limit. The Razorbacks can now have as many players as it wants, as long as no more than 32 have a part of their 11.7 scholarships.
That helps Washington because he is a walk-on at Arkansas and - although he said receiving one would be nice - the amount of scholarship he’d receive at a school is not among his top concerns.
“That’s not a big thing on my part because I just want to go play,” Washington said. “My parents, they’re wonderful on making it happen for me, and I appreciate them.”
Despite having only a handful of starts and at bats, Washington became a fan favorite with the Razorbacks because of his success in limited opportunities and the enthusiasm with which he played the game.
When news broke that he had entered the portal, most fans assumed he was transferring. That led to an outpouring of support, with many disappointed in the thought of never seeing him in an Arkansas uniform again.
“It meant a lot,” Washington said about the reaction. “It did feel good to know people care about me and they like me a lot and they wish I could stay.”
Being so loved by the fans is particularly meaningful for Washington because he’s an Arkansas kid whose goal growing up was to play for the Razorbacks.
“I love it, it was a dream come true,” Washington said. “It was my dream school since I was a kid and playing in front of all those fans is crazy. The adrenaline is pumping and they don’t understand how much it helps the players out there.”
