"When he shall die take him and cut him out into stars and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun." -- William Shakespeare

Vann Washington is all smiles as he strolls out of the cafeteria following the Mountaineers' evening meal at the Milan Puskar Center. He's a picture of confidence -- beaming, relaxed and enjoying a cup of ice cream.

His actions and the confidence in his voice are noticeable, but it is not a confidence that is marred by being cocky or self-centered. Simply put, Vann Washington is very much a determined and goal-oriented individual who has his feet squarely planted on the ground.

A three-year starter at free safety, Washington is the unquestioned the leader of the Mountaineer secondary. Nowhere does WVU boast more big-time players this year than in the secondary. With Mike Logan, Charles Emanuel, Perlo Bastien and Washington, their performance speaks for itself.

"We have a simple motto among ourselves that no one gets beat in the secondary," said Washington. "I don't let anyone get behind me. And if I do happen to get beat, I'm going to come back on the next play and make sure it doesn't happen again."

Clearly, Washington possesses all the physical tools, but what makes him the best at what he does?

"It's instinct," Washington remarked. "It's knowing the game. I know situations. I pretty much have an idea of what the guy is going to do coming out of the huddle."

That same instinct has placed Vann Washington throughout the West Virginia record book. He ranks eighth in career interceptions with 10 and is also the WVU career leader with three touchdowns off interceptions. In 1994, against Louisiana Tech, Washington had a record-setting game, picking off three interceptions and returning two of them for touchdowns of 97 and 67 yards. That game he remembers all too well.

"Personally, I think my best performance was the three interceptions, two for touchdowns, against Louisiana Tech a couple of years ago," recalled Washington. "That game was unbelievable! That was my biggest game stat-wise, but I've also had some other good all-around performances that really stick out in my mind."

No doubt, Washington is a big-play performer and an exceptional all-around athlete. And he has used his God-given talent and natural ability to pursue a position on the other side of the ball -- long snapping.

Yes, long snapping! How does a 6-0, 200-pound defensive back draw WVU's long snapping assignment?

The NCAA rules committee implemented a change this season prohibiting defensive linemen from making contact with the center until one second after the ball is snapped. This allows Washington to snap the ball and, with his speed, be one of the first defenders down the field.

"I feel that I can do anything and snapping is simply one of those things," said Washington. "I enjoy doing it, and I think it's a good rule.

"I remember last year that I used to guard the center and drill him as soon as he snapped the ball. But all in all, I think it's good for our punt team because it allows me to get down the field faster and hopefully make a tackle."

And that same combination of long snapping and defensive back has made Washington one of the best players in the BIG EAST. Last season, he was fifth on the team with 61 tackles and a second team all-BIG EAST honoree.

Over the years, it has been repeatedly spoken that every good athlete has been inspired by someone. For Washington, that "someone" is Deion Sanders.

"I've always loved Deion Sanders," explained the Monticello, Fla., native. "I've followed his career since he was in college at Florida State.

"The ability that he has is incredible. His attitude and the talent that he possesses are what I really admire the most. He is definitely a role model."

Pondering the season at hand and some of the opponents the Mountaineers have already disposed of, Washington maintains that he and the rest of the squad are thinking positively.

"We only take one game at a time," Washington stressed. "We don't like to look ahead of the next game on our schedule. We just have to go out in each game and do what we have to do."

Washington has set some personal goals this year, but they don't really involve his statistics. Of course, he would like to improve upon his career stats, but his goal during each game this year is to give 100 percent and help his team earn another bowl appearance.

"I'll do whatever it takes for this team to be successful," said Washington. "If I stay focused and do my part on special teams and on defense, then I'll be a help to this team."

As far as any team-constructed goals go, Washington says that the Mountaineers haven't really set any big-time objectives.

"Everybody on this team wants to win, and that's the bottom line," Washington reasoned. "We can't afford to go out and make any big mistakes. If we avoid the mistakes, good things will happen for us."

This season, the Mountaineers are reacquainting themselves with that old football adage -- defense wins games. With a resurgent defensive unit, led by the Mountaineer secondary, Washington agrees with that maxim.

"I think this is one of the best defenses to ever step on the field at West Virginia," said Washington. "Talent-wise, I don't think I've ever been on a better squad than this year's team. If we stay healthy, we'll be alright."

It seems that this ultra-talented athlete's determination and hard work have certainly paid off. Yet one thing is certain, whether it is on or off the field, Vann Washington is a portrait of confidence, and that confidence has definitely made him a huge success in life.

Bryan Messerly, one-time graduate assistant in the WVU Sports Communications Office, spent two years as an assistant sports information director at Virginia Tech before returning to West Virginia last fall. He is now West Virginia's associate sports information director.

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