Tahj Washington Named to 2023 Paul Hornung Award Watch List
USC wide receiver Tahj Washington was named to the 2023 Paul Hornung Award Watch List on Thursday. The award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Washington could be another major weapon for the USC offense and special teams in 2023. He has 150 receptions for 2,162 yards and 13 touchdowns in his three-year career at Memphis and USC. He’s also rushed for a touchdown, has 22 kickoff returns for 438 yards, and recorded five tackles.
Washington finished second for the Trojans last season in all the major receiving categories. He had 50 catches for 785 yards and six touchdowns. He returned just three kickoffs, but his 42-yard return was a season-long for USC and he averaged a team-best 25 yards per return.
Washington also stepped up when it matters most for USC in 2022. In games against Arizona and Cal, with Jordan Addison and Mario Williams sidelined, Washington posted back-to-back 100-yard games. He had seven receptions in each game, with 118 yards and two touchdowns against the Wildcats and 112 yards and a score against the Golden Bears.
He also finished the season on a personal high note. In the Pac-12 championship game against Utah, Washington recorded six receptions for 93 yards and the game’s first touchdown. In the Cotton Bowl against Tulane, Washington had five catches for 109 yards. He was also a consistent big-play threat. He had receptions of 43, 47, 50, 59 and 61 yards last season.
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In addition to his receiver role, Washington would also line up at times in an H-back or fullback look and was a consistent blocker in the run and pass games.
Paul Hornung Award History
The Paul Hornung Award has been given annually since 2010. There are several criteria the winner must meet, including:
- Playing multiple positions on offense and/or multiple positions on defense
- Playing a significant role on special teams
- Performing as a two-way player who starts either on offense or defense and is used on the other side of the ball in some capacity
- Making a significant impact during big games and elevating the team’s performance through leadership displayed by excelling in multiple roles
Oregon State quarterback/fullback/linebacker Jack Colletto won the award last season. Fellow Pac-12 standouts Owen Marecic and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford and Shaq Thompson of Washington won it previously.
