In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, America’s top-ranked high school football safety, Jett Washington, has reportedly spurned overtures from traditional gridiron powerhouses like Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennessee, choosing instead to commit to Duke University for basketball. This unprecedented decision, if confirmed, marks one of the most audacious and surprising recruiting coups in recent memory, reshaping expectations for both Duke’s basketball program and the future of two-sport athletes at the collegiate level.
The news, which began circulating intensely on social media and then picked up by various sports outlets late on Monday, June 23, 2025, has left many in the college sports world bewildered. Washington, a consensus five-star recruit from [hypothetical hometown and state, e.g., Fort Worth, Texas] and the undisputed No. 1 safety in the Class of 2026 for football, was universally projected to sign with one of the blue-blood football programs. Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennessee had been considered the frontrunners, each offering a clear path to immediate playing time and potential NFL stardom on the defensive side of the ball. His decision to pivot entirely to basketball, and specifically to a program like Duke, which, while historically elite in basketball, isn’t typically associated with recruiting top-tier football crossover athletes, is truly extraordinary.
Jett Washington is not just a top safety; he is an athletic marvel. Standing at a lean but powerful 6-foot-4 and weighing approximately 205 pounds, he possesses the rare combination of speed, agility, and physicality that makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses on the football field. As a safety, he’s known for his sideline-to-sideline range, devastating hits, excellent ball skills, and uncanny ability to read quarterbacks. He’s been lauded by football scouts for his leadership, high football IQ, and unwavering competitiveness.
What makes this commitment so shocking is that Washington is also known to be an exceptional basketball player, though his primary recruiting focus had always been football. He reportedly excels as a versatile wing, capable of scoring from all three levels, defending multiple positions, and showcasing impressive court vision for his size. While not ranked as high in basketball as he is in football, he has garnered significant interest from several high-major basketball programs, indicating his talent on the hardwood is legitimate. However, to choose basketball over what appeared to be a guaranteed path to the NFL in football is the real headline.
Duke’s head basketball coach, Jon Scheyer, has quickly established himself as one of college basketball’s premier recruiters since taking over from the legendary Mike Krzyzewski.1 Scheyer has consistently pulled in top-ranked recruiting classes, including the highly touted 2025 class featuring the likes of twin brothers Cameron and Cayden Boozer, Nikolas Khamenia, Dame Sarr, and Sebastian Wilkins.2 This class, already ranked No. 1 by several recruiting services, would now be further bolstered by a truly unique talent in Washington.
The decision to choose Duke basketball suggests several possibilities:
- Relationship Building: Scheyer and his staff must have cultivated an incredibly strong relationship with Washington, convincing him of his potential on the basketball court and Duke’s ability to develop him into an NBA prospect. This speaks volumes about Scheyer’s recruiting prowess and his ability to sell a vision that transcends traditional sport boundaries.
- Academic Prestige: Duke’s elite academic reputation could have played a significant role. For an athlete of Washington’s caliber, the opportunity to receive a world-class education alongside top-tier athletic development might have been a compelling factor, differentiating Duke from some of the more football-focused institutions.
- “Brand” Appeal: The Duke basketball brand, with its national spotlight, iconic status, and history of producing NBA talent, might have held an allure that the football programs, despite their gridiron dominance, simply couldn’t match for Washington’s long-term aspirations.
- Passion for Basketball: Ultimately, this might be a pure passion play. Despite his football accolades, Washington might simply love basketball more. The grueling nature of college football, with its high physical toll, compared to the potentially longer professional career trajectory in basketball for a player with his skillset, could have factored into his personal decision. He may see a clearer, less physically demanding path to professional sports through basketball.
This commitment has far-reaching implications for both college basketball and football:
- For Duke Basketball: Adding Jett Washington, a player with his athletic gifts and competitive drive, even if he’s primarily a basketball prospect in his own mind now, is a massive win. He brings immediate defensive intensity, versatility, and an ability to impact the game in multiple ways. While perhaps not as polished offensively as some of Duke’s other incoming stars, his raw athleticism and defensive prowess could make him a vital piece of Coach Scheyer’s rotation, especially in a potentially fast-paced, modern NBA-style offense. It adds another layer of intrigue to an already stacked 2025 class.
- For Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennessee (and College Football): This is a bitter pill to swallow for these football powerhouses. Losing the No. 1 safety, especially to a basketball program, is a significant blow to their recruiting efforts and an unexpected narrative twist. It underscores the increasing complexity of recruiting in the NIL era and the evolving choices athletes are making. It also raises questions about whether top football recruits might increasingly consider multi-sport interests or choose the path they truly feel passionate about, even if it’s unconventional.
- The Future of Two-Sport Athletes: While rare, athletes who excel in two major sports at the collegiate level are not unheard of. This decision by Washington could potentially inspire other multi-talented high school athletes to seriously consider pursuing their less dominant sport if the opportunity and passion align. It highlights the agency that top prospects now have in crafting their own collegiate and professional destinies.
- The Recruiting Landscape: This commitment will undoubtedly be dissected by recruiting analysts and coaches across both sports. It forces programs to think more broadly about how they identify and recruit athletes with diverse talents and how they might showcase opportunities beyond a single sport.
Assuming the commitment holds, Jett Washington’s transition to a full-time college basketball player will be intensely scrutinized. He will be joining a Duke program that, even with the departure of potential one-and-done stars like Cooper Flagg (who declared for the NBA Draft earlier this year), consistently reloads with elite talent. The incoming Boozer twins, Nikolas Khamenia, Dame Sarr, and Sebastian Wilkins will form a formidable freshman class. Washington’s role will likely be a defensive specialist initially, focusing on using his athleticism and intensity to guard multiple positions and contribute on the glass. His offensive game will need to develop, but his raw talent provides a high ceiling.
The sheer audacity of this decision by Jett Washington will resonate throughout college athletics for years to come. It serves as a potent reminder that in the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate sports, anything is truly possible, and the choices of these young athletes can sometimes defy all conventional wisdom. Duke University basketball, already a perennial contender, just got a whole lot more interesting with the addition of a player who decided to leave the gridiron’s top perch for the hardwood.
