USC Football News: Senior WR Listed as Potential Game-Changer in 2023

Tahj Washington has the necessary experience to make a difference this season.

When wide receivers Jordan Addison, Mario Williams, Brenden Rice, and others transferred to USC, then-redshirt junior wideout Tahj Washington had every reason to check out the portal for himself.

Addison, the reigning Biletnikoff winner, Williams, one of Caleb Williams' favorite targets at Oklahoma; and Rice, the son of the best wide receiver to ever play the game, were all projected to start over the second-year Trojan.

Despite being undersized, standing at just 5-foot-11 and weighing 175 pounds, Washington's presence in the locker room and on the field was invaluable. It's no surprise that Trojans Wire listed the wideout as a player who will make a difference this season.

Tahj Washington was one of the USC receivers who came up big when Jordan Addison and Mario Williams were hurt last season. He won’t get the publicity because of Mario and because of Dorian Singer, but he’s vital to this wide receiver room.

Washington averaged over 65 yards per game, including three games with over 100 yards. The speedy wideout also caught six touchdowns, including a two-touchdown performance against Arizona when both Mario Williams and Addison were sidelined with injuries.

With another star transfer in Dorian Williams and freshman Zachariah Branch, a five-star recruit new to the team, veteran leadership from one of the longest-tenured Trojans will be important in developing chemistry in the wide receiver room.

"It's weird, you know?" Washington said on being one of the oldest players in the locker room. "But i'm adjusting to it, just taking on that role, just having that respect level and treating them with respect, being the old guy."

(Via

InsideTroy

)

While Caleb Williams will have a plethora of talented options at wideout, the existing chemistry between him and Washington will serve the duo well. Washington often served as a reliable check-down option if any of Williams' deep targets were unable to get open.

USC will start their season on August 26 against San Jose State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.