Kelley Washington likes to talk. So much, in fact, that he practices it.

As Tennessee’s top wide receiver, Washington, a sophomore, turns the Volunteers’ football practice into his personal soapbox.

“Before the snap,” Washington told USA Today, “I’m talking about how good I am, telling (Vols defensive back Julian Battle) how bad I’m going to beat him and how bad he’s going to look after the play.”

At least the Tennessee secondary might only have to worry about Washington’s motor mouth for the rest of this year, since the receiver’s probably leaving early for the NFL. He considered bolting last year but returned to lead the Vols, who play Arkansas on Saturday, with 299 yards in two games.

“Kelley’s going to talk, but he’s also going to take care of his business,” Vols defensive back Corey Larkins said. “When he’s going or he’s not going, he’s got something to say. That’s the future though.”

Indeed, that’s what Washington, 23, calls himself — The Future.

But to really understand The Future, you have to look at his past.

At Sherando High in Stephens City, Va., Washington was a three-sport athlete. In basketball, he set the school’s all-time scoring record. In football as a quarterback, he threw for almost 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.

After high school, Washington chose, though, to pursue perhaps his weakest sport — baseball.

The Florida Marlins picked Washington in the 10th round of the 1997 draft. He spent four years kicking around the Marlins’ farm system, picking up a .213 batting average and a bruised ego.

When Washington returned home, he longed to return to football, seeking Top-25 schools like Miami and Tennessee.

Fortunately for Washington, his high school coach, Walter Barr, knew Vols secondary coach Larry Slade. Tennessee gave Washington a shot — and it’s paid off.

Last season, as a freshman, Washington broke Tennessee’s single-game receiving-yard record in the Vols’ SEC home opener.

“The biggest thing between Kelley and other guys,” Vols quarterback Casey Clausen said, “is yardage after the catch.”

As for socializing after the games?

“Mine and his relationship,” Larkins said, “is kind of like just on the field.”

In fact, Washington’s admitted to having few friends at Tennessee. He lives with a reserve kicker and student trainer and rarely goes out. He’s even been known to refer to himself in the third person.

When he sat out the season’s first two games, against Wyoming and Middle Tennessee State, with a sprained knee, Washington said it was his decision not to play, prompting criticism from Vols fans. Washington later clarified the statement, saying his knee was less healthy than coaches originally thought.

Still, some teammates have publicly said that Washington’s mouth is detrimental to the Vols.

“It’s not,” said Clausen, who sounds tired of addressing the issue. “The biggest thing is the guy goes and makes plays. It’s one thing having a guy who talks and doesn’t back it up. He talks and backs it up.”

Washington’s first chance to do that came Sept. 21, his first game, at rival Florida. Though Washington made just seven catches without a touchdown, he racked up 102 yards in the 30-13 loss.

“He’s as good,” Florida head coach Ron Zook said, “as he says he is.”

And “the best receiver in college football,” as Washington calls himself, has the rest of the season to put his mouth to work — on the field.

Pittsburgh (+2.5) at Syracuse

Saturday, Noon, ESPN

Remember Dwight Freeney? The man with an NCAA-record 17.5 sacks in a season? The leader of a formidable SU defense?

Those days are distant memories because this year’s Orangemen are last in the Big East in rushing and passing defense. Syracuse surrenders an astonishing 218.5 rushing yards per game, 89 more than second-worst Rutgers. Against the pass, SU gives up 281 yards per game.

Perhaps that’s a welcome harbinger for the Panthers, who boast the Big East’s leading receiver, Larry Fitzgerald.

Pick: Pittsburgh 35, Syracuse 24

Arkansas (+11.5) at No. 10 Tennessee

Saturday, 7:45 p.m., ESPN

The Vols will look to Washington more with leading rusher Cedric Houston out because of torn ligaments in his left thumb. That’s a bad sign for the Razorbacks, who are last in the SEC in pass defense at 239.3 yards per game.

Mix in the fact that Razorbacks quarterback Matt Jones has completed just 23 of 44 passes for 365 yards, and it looks like a rocky road for Arkansas at Rocky Top.

Pick: Tennessee 35, Arkansas 14

No. 18 USC (-3.5) at No. 17

Washington State

Saturday, 7 p.m., TBS

The Trojans would rather forget their last game against the Cougars. That’s because, in 2000, a 33-27 home loss secured the Trojans their first finish in the Pac-10 cellar.

Now, second-year head coach Pete Carroll has excited even the most skeptical in SoCal. The Trojans are 3-1, surrendering just 20 points in their wins.

The Cougars, meanwhile, have racked up four wins against unranked teams, their only loss coming, 25-7, at then-No. 6 Ohio State on Sept. 14.

Though Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser appears 100 percent after suffering a dislocated rib two weeks ago, the Trojans’ 11-points-per-game defense proves too much.

Pick: USC 35, Washington State 27

No. 20 Penn State (+2.5) at No. 19

Wisconsin

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC

While Iowa shocked the Nittany Lions last Saturday, 42-35, at home, the Badgers enjoyed a bye week.

Still, this is Wisconsin’s toughest game so far this year. It helps that the matchup’s at Camp Randall Stadium, though the Badgers nearly dropped home games against Fresno State (23-21) and Northern Illinois (24-21).

After a tenuous 2001 season, Penn State quarterback Zack Mills is finally getting some love in Happy Valley. Mills threw for a school-record 399 yards and four touchdowns against Iowa. He’ll be the difference against Wisconsin.

Pick: Penn State 24, Wisconsin 21

Stanford (+8.5) at No. 9 Notre Dame

Saturday, 2:30 p.m., NBC

Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham’s surely had this one circled on his calendar since the Irish hired him Jan. 1.

Willingham — who’s led Notre Dame to a 4-0 record — faces the Cardinal, whom he helped shape in his seven-year stint as head coach.

Stanford’s struggled this year, losing last week to Arizona State, 65-24. Willingham has problems at quarterback. Starter Carlyle Holiday is nursing a shoulder injury, meaning former walk-on Pat Dillingham — who rallied Notre Dame to a 21-17 victory two weeks ago against Michigan State — could get his first start.

A walk-on starting in the shadows of Touchdown Jesus? It didn’t faze Rudy.

Pick: Notre Dame 38, Stanford 31

Published on October 2, 2002 at 12:00 pm