Former Mizzou RB Derrick Washington making most of second chance at Division II Tuskegee

TUSKEGEE, Ala. - Former University of Missouri running back Derrick Washington hasn’t let 120 days in jail slow him down.

The Ray-Pec graduate transferred to Division II Tuskegee after spending time in jail this summer for a sexual assault conviction.

"He's a good kid who just messed up," Tuskegee head football coach Willie Slater told USA Today earlier this year . “I don't bring bad kids into any program.”

“Got a second chance to pursue my dream!” Washington’s Twitter profile reads. “Blessed beyond means!”

Washington, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards in two years as a starter at Mizzou, capped off a spectacular senior season Saturday with 224 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship game. He added another 107 receiving yards and a third touchdown through the air.

Tuskegee won the game 55-24 over conference rival Fort Valley State. Washington was the game’s MVP.

Washington finished the 2012 regular season ranked seventh in D2 with 139.9 yards per game. His 8.13 yards per carry place him second in the nation.

He’ll get one last chance to showcase his talent on Thanksgiving Day when Tuskegee takes on FCS opponent Alabama State University in the 89th annual Turkey Day Classic in Montgomery, Ala.