Tahj Washington opens up on Caleb Williams' growth in Year 2

Returning a Heisman Trophy winner in college football is a relative rarity, but such is the position USC finds itself in with quarterback Caleb Williams back in 2023.

The veteran signal-caller has picked up right where he left off, having already thrown for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns without an interception.

“Just Year 2, so we had a year under our belt for everybody to learn each other and grow,” receiver Tahj Washington said. “We kind of set the bar for what’s expected. We have that standard, now we’ve got to exceed that. He’s doing a great job of that.”

Washington has emerged as the team’s leading receiver through the first quarter of the season, logging nine catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns.

He’s seen Williams’ maturation and growth extend beyond just the sidelines, too.

The USC quarterback has made it a point to make sure the team is bonding all the way around. The goal is for everyone to be able to rely on everyone else in a pinch, a true team.

“Just off the field, too, just more guys like everybody pretty much like brothers,” Washington said. “It’s been a great week, too, to get closer to even more people that you usually don’t talk to. Just really building that culture.”

Tim Tebow praises Caleb Williams

If there’s another Heisman Trophy winner who would know a thing or two about what elite quarterback play looks like it’s former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner.

Tebow joined On3’s Nick Kosko recently for an exclusive interview, and the topic of Williams came up.

“It’s been pretty incredible,” Tebow said of Williams. “I think he deserves so much credit. I also think we got to give a lot of credit to his receivers and Lincoln (Riley). They’re dialing it up right now and they are on fire. But man, he does make it look easy. Sometimes on a few of the throws and the plays, especially on the run, it’s not supposed to look that easy. Like nobody else in the game makes it look that easy, really.

“And you know, I also think it’s important that when we look back in recent years, Joe (Burrow’s) year was pretty incredible. And there’s been some amazing years but, yeah, his dominance is ridiculous.”

Williams and the Trojans will be back in action next week with a road game at Arizona State. USC has an early bye week this weekend after beginning the season in Week 0.