Angelo State quarterback Kyle Washington has already had a few dramatic firsts during his Rams career. He is the first ASU player to throw for over 3,000 yards as a junior. As a sophomore, he was the first Ram to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. By the end of this year, he could be the first Ram to win the Harlon Hill Trophy.
 
The ASU football program has had several players nomi­nated for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is given to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division II, but no Ram has ever won it. Since the trophy was first awarded in 1986, two ASU players have reached the final eight: Greg Stokes in 1995 and Erik Hartman in 1997. Washington was a semifinalist last season.
 
Coming out of high school, the Humble native had only three choices to continue his playing career. The ASU coaching staff knew Washington was athletic and had the potential to play. The only issue was what position would best employ his talents.
 
"Looking back, I think the main thing was that he was a kid who was making plays and hard to bring down," said Will Wagner, Rams head coach. "He was very long and raw and a great athlete. We thought if he couldn't play quarterback, he could play receiver for us somewhere down the road. We just saw a lot of potential in a young kid."
 
Washington's development at quarterback began during his freshman season, learning the offense, lifting weights and contributing on the scout team. He saw action in eight games, including his first start against Tarleton State. Overall, he accounted for eight touchdowns, six passing and two rushing, while amassing 485 passing yards and 77 yards on the ground.
 
"I think that was probably one of the integral parts of my development because I was able to see the speed of the game and the mental part of it as well," Washington said. "I think it helped me a lot going into my sophomore season."
 
"Kyle really took it upon himself that year," said Theron Aych, assistant head coach/offensive coordinator. "He wasn't playing and had a lot of guys in front of him on the depth chart. He really pushed himself and made himself stand out as he continued to develop his throwing and running ability."
 
As a sophomore in 2013, Washington became ASU's full-time starter and put his name in the school record book. His 2,073 passing yards and 1,102 rushing yards marked the first time any Ram had put up those kinds of numbers in a single season.
 
"I just think the development he's made and the effort he's put into being a quarterback has been significant," Wagner said. "When he first got here, his throwing motion needed a lot of work and that's something he really focused his attention on, but also putting more meat on his skinny bones, but that's all Kyle. He's put in the work to get him where he is today, and he continues to develop himself as a player because he's not satisfied with where he's at."
 
Even more dramatic improvement came during Washington's junior season, which was one of the top individual seasons in ASU history, as well as one of the best in the nation for 2014. His ASU record of 34 passing touchdowns was the fifth-highest nationally among NCAA D-II quarterbacks. It was also the most passing touch­downs by a returning quarterback in Texas in any division and the third most by a returning quarterback in D-II.
 
Additionally, Washington broke the ASU single-season record for passing yards with 3,236 and became the first Rams quarterback to break the 3,000 yard mark in a single season. His yardage total was also the eighth-highest by a returning D-II quarterback. Not surprisingly, there are times his stats and career even surprise himself.
 
"After the Midwestern game, I was told I rushed for 250 yards and I was taken back by it," Washington said. "I just never saw myself doing those types of things, so I am surprised. The things our offense is able to accomplish, it's amazing."
 
Entering his senior season, Washington is 14-10 as a starter, but 12-3 in the Rams' last 15 games. Now in his third year as a team captain, his leadership skills have developed, as well.
 
"Kyle has turned into a great leader," Aych said. "His personal demeanor is really quiet and almost kind of shy. On the field, he has spent a lot of time working on developing his leadership skills. He can be vocal when he needs to be vocal, but under­stands he has to be a positive leader and influence the team to do things they may not want to do."
 
The team's success mirrored Washington's development last season. The Rams went 9-3 and won the LSC Playoff Champi­onship. Their postseason victory over Michigan Tech was ASU's first NCAA D-II Playoffs win since 1997.
 
"Things like the Harlon Hill Trophy come with great teams," Washington said. "I don't think a Harlon Hill candidate would be on an average team. That means that if I am in the discussion, our team has success. Just knowing our team has success would mean a lot more to me than the Harlon Hill candidacy."
 
Recently named a Preseason All-American by D2Foot­ball.com, Washington wants nothing more than for the Rams to succeed on the field. If he and the Rams continue their development, they could all be hoisting trophies at the end of the season.