Tahj Washington makes a quick first impression

There is no question that Drake London is the headliner for the USC wide receiver group, but Tahj Washington hasn’t taken long at all since his arrival from Memphis to show that he’s worthy of plenty of attention as well.

Washington brings on-field experience with him, which is something lacking in the other USC receivers outside of London. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder caught 43 passes for 743 yards and six touchdowns on his way to being named to the Football Writers Freshman All-American first team last season.

There was chatter over the summer about the impact he could make with the Trojans this season and then quarterback Kedon Slovis kicked that thought further down the line at Pac-12 media day, when he said of Washington, “He doesn’t really have a weakness, I think, as a receiver.”

That’s proven to be pretty true during the first handful of fall camp practices. Washington has put his tremendous speed and agility on display and he’s also shown the strength necessary to keep defenders off of him on contested catches. There is plenty still to shake out with the wide receiver depth. London will clearly be a major target, Gary Bryant Jr. should see a significant increase in his touches this year and Kyle Ford has had a good camp thus far. John Jackson III returns, freshman Michael Jackson III had a phenomenal spring and fellow freshman Joseph Manjack IV has been a standout early this fall. The Trojans also have a bunch of big-bodied tight ends who could get reps at the inside receiver positions. But it’s becoming more and more likely that Washington will see significant action this season. Speaking to the media for the first time following Tuesday’s practice, Washington was understated regarding what the USC coaches have told him about his performance so far.

“I’ve gotten positive feedback,” he said. “Just keep stacking days and it’ll take care of itself.”

Washington said he’s been embraced by the entire roster as an incoming transfer. He’s another addition to the roster who played his high school football in Texas and he said the connection between those guys adds to the feel of USC bring home.

“That’s a big connection,” Washington said. “Some of the guys you’ve heard of growing up, and other cities. It’s crazy we’re all together. You can tell stories about a track meet or football game and you’re like, ‘I was there too.’ You share that memory when you didn’t even know each other then. It’s crazy.”

Washington’s path to USC was helped by previous connections with offensive quality control analyst Bryan Carrington and tight ends coach Seth Doege. Washington said Doege recruited him out of high school when he was the receivers coach at Bowling Green. Ultimately, the collection of coaches at USC plus the Trojans’ history at the wide receiver position was enticing for Washington.

“I’m a big fan of college football, so I wanted plenty of tape and I’ve always liked USC’s offense,” Washington said. “They’re known for scoring and it’s Wide Receiver U. It’s a receiver’s paradise, I feel like.”

Washington also said Los Angeles feels like paradise, and USC’s reputation helped seal his commitment as well.

“They have everything you can ask for in developing what you want to become as a student and an athlete,” Washington said. “Beautiful location, a facility where you can excel and where you can be a pro…The coaching staff has been there. They know. They can help you develop. The connections and alums. It doesn’t get better than that.”

The physical traits Washington possesses are obvious, but they might not be his strongest assets as a wide receiver, especially in this offense. Coordinator Graham Harrell has mentioned many times how this offense asks receivers and quarterbacks to “find grass” in order to make plays work, with receivers able to make small adjustments on the fly in order to run to space and work themselves open. Washington said his intelligence as a receiver is something in which he takes pride.

“I feel like I’m a smart football player,” he said. “I understand zone concepts and seeing the triangle – your corner, your safety and your linebacker – making pre-snap reads and knowing how to adjust on the fly. Football is a quick game. Everything isn’t going to be how it is on paper. [I’m] bringing that ability to adjust.”

Slovis will be challenged to develop rhythms with a lot of new faces, as well as some who haven’t been on the field in a while. Washington said he goes out of his way to make sure that’s accelerating as quickly as possible.

“[I] come out every day picking his mind,” he said of Slovis. “How do you want me to run this route? How do you feel about the speed on that route? Is that okay? Getting that feedback so I can adjust my game to his game.”

The pads haven’t come on yet and there is still a ways to go before USC’s first game against San Jose State. Washington has made a positive first impression, but his goal for fall camp won’t be filled until that first snap of the season.

“My biggest goal for fall camp is come out here and learn the offense,” Washington said. “Know it in and out, be able to adjust, and when game time comes, knowing my assignment and being able to execute.”