University Southern California Trojans
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Cooking Up Touchdowns
August 25, 2023 | Football
"Savvy, fast and explosive." The three words USC redshirt senior wide receiver Tahj Washington uses to describe himself as an athlete. When asked about Tahj Washington the person however, he sees himself in a totally different light – "spontaneous, encouraging and funny for those who really know me."
After opening up about his upbringing in Texas, love for the game and passion for food and the arts, it's no wonder he uses the words "savvy" and "spontaneous" to describe himself. Whether he's whipping up a new recipe, painting on his days off or catching a ball from Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams, Washington loves to challenge himself in new ways.
"Chef Tahj" as he's often referred to by family and friends, is usually in one of two places – either on the field or in the kitchen. Growing up in Marshall, Texas, Washington spent many hours after school and on weekends at his grandmother's home, often receiving cooking lessons from her.
"My mom worked two jobs, so I'd go to my grandparents' house. I'd be over there with my cousins and helped my grandmother a lot in the kitchen," said Washington when asked about his upbringing.
Similar to a coach's expectations, Washington's grandmother requested everyone pitch in and do their part to prepare family meals. For Washington, this often meant preparing food for hours on end during the holiday season.
"Once we put in all the work to prepare everything and seeing how much joy and fun we had when everybody got to eat, it made me proud to know that I had a hand in making that happen," said the foodie. Eventually, the chore turned into a passion project, and thus "Chef Tahj" was born.
Now, Chef Tahj runs a YouTube channel called "No Huddle Kitchen" and recently held a 'Summer Cookout' in his hometown, bringing his Marshall community together for some good eats and positive vibes.
Like many college football players, Washington said it "took a village" to get him where he is today.
"Growing up, everybody had a hand in shaping who I was," said Washington. "I would say it took a village for real to raise me. My grandma, cousins, aunts, uncles and especially my mom got me to where I am."
The star high school receiver would eventually find himself at the University of Memphis, just a quick five hours away from home; but just like any college student, leaving family wasn't easy.
"It was very tough because I had never been away from my family for that long," he said. "It took some adjusting, but my personality helped me a lot to make friends and create a new circle. That kept me from being too homesick."
Washington didn't let being homesick affect his on-field performance. After his redshirt freshman season in 2020, he earned Football Writers Freshman All-American First Team honors. While starting 10 of Memphis' 11 games (all but the Arkansas opener), he had 43 receptions for 743 yards (17.3 avg) with six touchdowns, ran four times for 11 yards (2.8 avg) with a touchdown, returned 12 kickoffs for 242 yards (20.2 avg) and made four tackles. His 743 receiving yards was the most by any freshman in the nation and was second in Memphis history for a freshman.
At the conclusion of the season, Washington entered the portal, prayed about his decision day in and day out, and eventually made his way out west to USC.
For a guy who had never been to California, living in Los Angeles for the first time was a bit of a culture shock.
"Coming from a country town, my perspective was very narrow," Washington said. "It took me a while to warm up to LA, but eventually I met new people, got to know the area and continued to be myself in the process."
For Washington, football has been part of his life since the age of five, first convincing his mom, Shannon, to let him play after seeing a flyer for "little man football."
It's the love for the game that's kept him going throughout the years. From high school ball, to Memphis, to now playing for one of the most historic programs in the nation, Washington's drive and passion for the game has never wavered.
"I just love the process of the game - how you can practice things over-and-over, even visualize them, and then go out there and make it happen. That's the ultimate satisfaction, and I've felt it since a young age."
USC's leading returning receiver, Washington now looks to improve upon the 785 yards and six touchdowns on 50 catches he had in 2022.
Standing at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Washington is known for both his signature game day looks and his explosiveness on the gridiron. A favorite on the field for many USC fans, you'll spot him decked out in his routine attire that includes a sleeve on his left leg, face paint and turf tape on his forearms and wrists.
"That's all I need every game" said Washington regarding his weekly get-up. "No superstitions or pre-game rituals, that's not really me."
For Washington, it's the atmosphere on gameday that brings him to life on Saturdays in LA.
"There's just a great energy when you step into the Coliseum," he said. "Even when nobody is around, you just feel an energy in there. The history and the people that played in there before me, I just feed off the atmosphere."
This season, Washington is focused on taking things game-by-game and not looking too far ahead.
"If we do what we're supposed to, go 1-0 every week and lock in, this team is going to do big things."
After opening up about his upbringing in Texas, love for the game and passion for food and the arts, it's no wonder he uses the words "savvy" and "spontaneous" to describe himself. Whether he's whipping up a new recipe, painting on his days off or catching a ball from Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams, Washington loves to challenge himself in new ways.
"Chef Tahj" as he's often referred to by family and friends, is usually in one of two places – either on the field or in the kitchen. Growing up in Marshall, Texas, Washington spent many hours after school and on weekends at his grandmother's home, often receiving cooking lessons from her.
"My mom worked two jobs, so I'd go to my grandparents' house. I'd be over there with my cousins and helped my grandmother a lot in the kitchen," said Washington when asked about his upbringing.
Similar to a coach's expectations, Washington's grandmother requested everyone pitch in and do their part to prepare family meals. For Washington, this often meant preparing food for hours on end during the holiday season.
"Once we put in all the work to prepare everything and seeing how much joy and fun we had when everybody got to eat, it made me proud to know that I had a hand in making that happen," said the foodie. Eventually, the chore turned into a passion project, and thus "Chef Tahj" was born.
Now, Chef Tahj runs a YouTube channel called "No Huddle Kitchen" and recently held a 'Summer Cookout' in his hometown, bringing his Marshall community together for some good eats and positive vibes.
Like many college football players, Washington said it "took a village" to get him where he is today.
"Growing up, everybody had a hand in shaping who I was," said Washington. "I would say it took a village for real to raise me. My grandma, cousins, aunts, uncles and especially my mom got me to where I am."
The star high school receiver would eventually find himself at the University of Memphis, just a quick five hours away from home; but just like any college student, leaving family wasn't easy.
"It was very tough because I had never been away from my family for that long," he said. "It took some adjusting, but my personality helped me a lot to make friends and create a new circle. That kept me from being too homesick."
Washington didn't let being homesick affect his on-field performance. After his redshirt freshman season in 2020, he earned Football Writers Freshman All-American First Team honors. While starting 10 of Memphis' 11 games (all but the Arkansas opener), he had 43 receptions for 743 yards (17.3 avg) with six touchdowns, ran four times for 11 yards (2.8 avg) with a touchdown, returned 12 kickoffs for 242 yards (20.2 avg) and made four tackles. His 743 receiving yards was the most by any freshman in the nation and was second in Memphis history for a freshman.
At the conclusion of the season, Washington entered the portal, prayed about his decision day in and day out, and eventually made his way out west to USC.
For a guy who had never been to California, living in Los Angeles for the first time was a bit of a culture shock.
"Coming from a country town, my perspective was very narrow," Washington said. "It took me a while to warm up to LA, but eventually I met new people, got to know the area and continued to be myself in the process."
For Washington, football has been part of his life since the age of five, first convincing his mom, Shannon, to let him play after seeing a flyer for "little man football."
It's the love for the game that's kept him going throughout the years. From high school ball, to Memphis, to now playing for one of the most historic programs in the nation, Washington's drive and passion for the game has never wavered.
"I just love the process of the game - how you can practice things over-and-over, even visualize them, and then go out there and make it happen. That's the ultimate satisfaction, and I've felt it since a young age."
USC's leading returning receiver, Washington now looks to improve upon the 785 yards and six touchdowns on 50 catches he had in 2022.
Standing at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Washington is known for both his signature game day looks and his explosiveness on the gridiron. A favorite on the field for many USC fans, you'll spot him decked out in his routine attire that includes a sleeve on his left leg, face paint and turf tape on his forearms and wrists.
"That's all I need every game" said Washington regarding his weekly get-up. "No superstitions or pre-game rituals, that's not really me."
For Washington, it's the atmosphere on gameday that brings him to life on Saturdays in LA.
"There's just a great energy when you step into the Coliseum," he said. "Even when nobody is around, you just feel an energy in there. The history and the people that played in there before me, I just feed off the atmosphere."
This season, Washington is focused on taking things game-by-game and not looking too far ahead.
"If we do what we're supposed to, go 1-0 every week and lock in, this team is going to do big things."
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