University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Get To Know: Tahj Washington
Oct 29, 2020 | Football
Redshirt freshman wide receiver relies on his track and field training on the gridiron.
Daydreaming is fun, exciting. It can take one to a happy place away from the world's trials and troubles. There is a time and place for dreaming, and in the huddle before a critical play of a major football game may not have been the right time. But it worked for redshirt freshman Tahj Washington.
"It was like a dream at that moment," said Washington. "I knew my number was called, and I knew it was an opportunity to make a big play at a big moment in a big game. I was grateful for the opportunity."
Whatever woke up the speedy wide receiver from his dreaming came just in time, as Washington took a shovel pass and dashed 52 yards on a key fourth-and-3 play near midfield. Washington's catch-and-run placed Memphis at the UCF 5 yard line, and three plays later, the Tigers scored the winning touchdown in a thrilling 50-49 win over the Knights.
Even though the play happened two weeks ago, Washington remembers every detail.
"When the call was made in the huddle, I was thinking, 'it's on me, it's in my hands, it's fourth down,'" said Washington. "I looked to see where the linebackers were to get a feel for it.
"The play snaps, and I'm hugging tight to the offensive lineman that is pulling. Brady pitches it to me, and I catch it. My focus in on the ball. It's just me and the ball, no one else. Once I caught it, I saw a little sliver of grass and I took off. I saw a defender to the right, and I decided to set him up. I ran with my eyes downfield. I cut, and he fell for it. The rest is history."
While he dreamed of the moment, Washington also made sure he was ready for the time when his number was called.
"Putting yourself in situations like that in practice and visualizing yourself making big plays," Washington said. "It's the only way you can do it. You just can't go out there unprepared."
Preparation is key to Washington's success, and his training for the big moments hasn't come only from his time on the football field. A track and field standout at Marshall High School in Texas, Washington affirms his time as sprinter and jumper has aided the way he performs on the gridiron.
"It's helped with my technique, posture, running upright. Being concise with your movements," said Washington, who was a member of three Texas state title track and field teams at Marshall. "Like in the jumps, it's so technical that if you take the wrong movements, you won't have a good jump. You have to be precise with your technique. Knowing that helps you to be more disciplined."
He also credits his time on the track with helping shape his drive on the field.
"With having a winning mentality, you can't be satisfied with failure," Washington said. "It keeps pushing you, it's that drive that makes you want to succeed. Having that winning attitude, knowing how to win and what it takes to win. Being a competitor. In track and field, it's just you and the other guys and nothing else. It's straight competition, who wants it more."
Let's learn more about Washington outside the arena of competition:
I started playing football when …I was three years old and organized football when I was five. I played running back up to the seventh grade. I loved playing running back, but when I got to seventh grade, the coaches said I was too small to play there. I've been at wide receiver since.
If I didn't play football, I would be …A long/triple jumper in track and field.
#1 thing on my bucket list is …To skydive. I want to jump out of an airplane and get that adrenaline rush.
A hashtag the best describes me is …#Motivation.
The thing I like most about the Memphis campus is …That it's not too big or too small, knowing that your classes are right there. And it's not too far from home.
My Favorite Things
Ice cream … Butter pecan 🍨
Meal mom makes … Doritos casserole
Color … Green 🍏
Athlete … LeBron James
Midnight snack … Peanut butter and Hawaiian rolls 🥜
TV show as a kid … The Boondocks
Toy as a kid … Cars 🏎️
Emoji … Silverback 🦍
"It was like a dream at that moment," said Washington. "I knew my number was called, and I knew it was an opportunity to make a big play at a big moment in a big game. I was grateful for the opportunity."
Whatever woke up the speedy wide receiver from his dreaming came just in time, as Washington took a shovel pass and dashed 52 yards on a key fourth-and-3 play near midfield. Washington's catch-and-run placed Memphis at the UCF 5 yard line, and three plays later, the Tigers scored the winning touchdown in a thrilling 50-49 win over the Knights.
Even though the play happened two weeks ago, Washington remembers every detail.
"When the call was made in the huddle, I was thinking, 'it's on me, it's in my hands, it's fourth down,'" said Washington. "I looked to see where the linebackers were to get a feel for it.
"The play snaps, and I'm hugging tight to the offensive lineman that is pulling. Brady pitches it to me, and I catch it. My focus in on the ball. It's just me and the ball, no one else. Once I caught it, I saw a little sliver of grass and I took off. I saw a defender to the right, and I decided to set him up. I ran with my eyes downfield. I cut, and he fell for it. The rest is history."
While he dreamed of the moment, Washington also made sure he was ready for the time when his number was called.
"Putting yourself in situations like that in practice and visualizing yourself making big plays," Washington said. "It's the only way you can do it. You just can't go out there unprepared."
Preparation is key to Washington's success, and his training for the big moments hasn't come only from his time on the football field. A track and field standout at Marshall High School in Texas, Washington affirms his time as sprinter and jumper has aided the way he performs on the gridiron.
"It's helped with my technique, posture, running upright. Being concise with your movements," said Washington, who was a member of three Texas state title track and field teams at Marshall. "Like in the jumps, it's so technical that if you take the wrong movements, you won't have a good jump. You have to be precise with your technique. Knowing that helps you to be more disciplined."
He also credits his time on the track with helping shape his drive on the field.
"With having a winning mentality, you can't be satisfied with failure," Washington said. "It keeps pushing you, it's that drive that makes you want to succeed. Having that winning attitude, knowing how to win and what it takes to win. Being a competitor. In track and field, it's just you and the other guys and nothing else. It's straight competition, who wants it more."
Let's learn more about Washington outside the arena of competition:
I started playing football when …I was three years old and organized football when I was five. I played running back up to the seventh grade. I loved playing running back, but when I got to seventh grade, the coaches said I was too small to play there. I've been at wide receiver since.
If I didn't play football, I would be …A long/triple jumper in track and field.
#1 thing on my bucket list is …To skydive. I want to jump out of an airplane and get that adrenaline rush.
A hashtag the best describes me is …#Motivation.
The thing I like most about the Memphis campus is …That it's not too big or too small, knowing that your classes are right there. And it's not too far from home.
My Favorite Things
Ice cream … Butter pecan 🍨
Meal mom makes … Doritos casserole
Color … Green 🍏
Athlete … LeBron James
Midnight snack … Peanut butter and Hawaiian rolls 🥜
TV show as a kid … The Boondocks
Toy as a kid … Cars 🏎️
Emoji … Silverback 🦍
Players Mentioned
WR
/ FootballFootball: Tim Cramsey Press Conference-October 28, 2025
Tuesday, October 28
Football: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-October 28, 2025
Tuesday, October 28
Football: Cortez Braham Jr. Press Conference-October 25, 2025
Saturday, October 25
Football: Sam Brumfield Press Conference-October 25, 2025
Saturday, October 25