Tahj Washington, WR, USC
Size:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 174 pounds
Arm Length: 29 1/8"
Hand Size: 8 3/8"
Accomplishments:
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (2022) • AAC All-Academic Team (2020)
“Tahj Washington is a high-IQ slot receiver who understands how to get open against zone defenses.”
Strengths:
High IQ/ Instincts
Reliable Hands / Catching
Off script plays
Concerns:
Catch Radius
Beat pressman
Role-specific player
Film Analysis:
During the 2023 collegiate season, Tahj Washington emerged as the go-to, number-one option for Caleb Williams. Washington was able to total over 1000 yards of production and showcased to be a receiver that consistently showed up when this offense needed a big play from a receiver showcasing to have a high IQ and making off-script plays for USC.
Washington is an alignment versatile receiver having lined up at the slot receiver position and in the backfield to give the defense different looks and create advantageous matchups on screen plays, jet motions, and orbit motions.
From the slot Washington sees a great deal of off coverage where he gets free access releases which allows him to operate effectively. Washington can mix releases and does a good job of mixing tempos showing the defensive backs multiple different looks. On short to intermediate routes Wahingtons uses speed and quickness to get in and out of breaks to uncover for the quarterback. Washington appears to have reliable hands and consistently catches the ball in crowded areas in the middle of the field.
The concerns of Washington as a player will be how his lack of size and vertical speed appear to limit his usage. It appears that in the NFL Washington will be limited to being a slot-only receiver
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Colorado (2023), Notre Dame (2023), Washington (2023), Oregon (2023)
