It’s impressive for a high school to produce just one of Bill Russell, Frank Robinson and Paul Silas. For McClymonds High School in West Oakland, this has become just a part of their tradition. McClymonds has produced a list of athletic alumni that could match up with any other high school in the country. Since the school’s establishment in 1915, it has been churning out MLB all-stars, NBA hall of famers, and Olympic gold medalists.
Steve Sarkisian and the UW football staff hope that one of their latest verbal commitments, safety Lavon Washington, along with sophomore cornerback Marcus Peters, can continue the McClymonds tradition.
At 5’11”, 180 pounds, Lavon Washington has shown great speed, strength, and instincts at the high school level, and with some added bulk, can become a multi-skilled defensive player for the Huskies. On top of being a ball hawking safety, Washington has also shown strong hands and breakaway speed as a wide receiver.
He projects as a safety in college, and his versatility and multiple skills make him a candidate to see the field early in his career at UW. Washington could one day team up with former McClymonds teammate Marcus Peters in the secondary.
A 2011 graduate of McClymonds High School, cornerback Marcus Peters played in all 13 games and started eight at cornerback for the Huskies in 2012. Peters tallied three interceptions and scored a touchdown in 2012, playing alongside Desmond Trufant. Now that Trufant is gone, Peters will look to emerge as the team’s lockdown corner and leader in the secondary.
With the commitment of Lavon Washington to the UW, teaming him up with former McClymonds teammate Marcus Peters, Steve Sarkisian looks as if he has set up a pipeline to one of the most prestigious athletic high schools in the country. Sarkisian has recruited the state of California very well in his time at the UW, and having a connection to McClymonds will only help him continue his strong performance.