After rocky start, UC's Shaq ready for attack
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 8:36 p.m. EDT August 21, 2014


Wide receiver Shaq Washington led the Bearcats last season with 78 catches for 783 yards and one touchdown in 13 games.(Photo: Enquirer file)

Shaq Washington was so discouraged after his freshman year at the University of Cincinnati in 2011 that he left the program and went back to Maple Heights, Ohio, to figure out what to do.

He didn't even stay for the Bearcats' victory over Vanderbilt in the Liberty Bowl.

"I went home and just had to think about things," Washington said.

After some soul-searching, the 5-foot-9, 174-pound junior wide receiver decided that he wanted to return to UC, where he had caught only three passes as a freshman and dealt with a recurring ankle injury that later would net him another year of eligibility

He was grateful when then-head coach Butch Jones agreed to take him back. But when 2012 rolled around, it was more of the same for Washington – three receptions and little playing time. Again, he thought about leaving.

That's when Jones left UC for Tennessee and Tommy Tuberville arrived to take over the UC program, which turned out to be the break Washington needed.

"I was kind of shocked," Tuberville said. "Somebody told me he didn't play much before we got here and here's a guy that can fit into what we do. When I saw him play for the first time when I was watching bowl practice, I was thinking it must be his attitude. It's got to be something wrong. I mean this kid looks pretty good."

Tuberville met with Washington, as he did with all the returning players, and told him the new coaching staff had big plans for him if he really wanted to be at UC. That's all Washington had to hear.

"When I found out we were getting a new coaching staff, it was like a new life for me," Washington said. "I just knew it was day one all over again. When he first got here, we had a sit-down. He asked to see where my head was at. He told me he expected a big year. It was kind of random coming from him when he didn't know me from a can of paint."

Last year, Tuberville's faith in Washington paid off in a big way for the Bearcats. Washington had a breakout year as a slot receiver, leading UC with 78 catches for 783 yards and one touchdown in 13 games. His receptions total ranks fifth in school history for one season.

With the 2014 season soon to begin, Washington – who was granted an extra year of eligibility due to an injury earlier in his career – has been named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award that goes to the best wide receiver in the country.

"I just finally got my opportunity to showcase what I can do," Washington said. "The coaches had a great deal of confidence in me, so they just put me out there. I just took advantage of it."

Washington's small stature doesn't bother Tuberville, who immediately saw in him the talents that translate into a productive collegiate wide receiver.

"I don't care how big they are or how strong they are," Tuberville said. "If they can run and they've got quickness at his position, they can play. He can make people miss. He can turn a five-yard reception into a 30-yard gain."

Washington has been making people miss for a long time. As a senior quarterback at Maple Heights High School in suburban Cleveland, he produced 1,730 yards of total offense and completed 63 percent of his passes. He accounted for all seven of Maple Heights' touchdowns – three touchdown passes and four rushing touchdowns – in a 45-33 victory over Trotwood Madison in the 2010 Ohio Division II state championship game, rallying his team from a 26-7 deficit.

After the game, he revealed a tattoo with Mr. Maple Heights on his chest and the number 216, the local area code, on his pectorals. He later added another tattoo with his high school logo and '15-0 state champs' on it.

"That was an amazing moment," Washington said. "We worked hard as a team and a community. We had everybody behind us. The year before, we lost (to Winton Woods). Just coming back and redeeming ourselves, there was nothing like that game, nothing like that season. That's one of my greatest accomplishments in my football career."

The state championship tattoo, he says, is "a bond that I have with the people back home."

Washington doesn't get to throw the ball much anymore, although he has completed three passes in as many attempts for 40 yards and one touchdown at UC.

Now he's a savvy, veteran receiver who has become an important part of the Bearcats' offense and one of the best players in the American Athletic Conference.

"I realize when I was a younger player I didn't know a lot," Washington said, "and it slowed me down. Now that I know more things, I can run more freely and just play and react."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../14417747/

Love this kid. All 5'9" and 174 lbs. of him. Glad he could flourish under CTT because he is a weapon in the slot. Dude has hands like fly paper and knows how to get open.

Keep forgetting we have two Shaqs... The WR corps is ridiculous this year, it'll be interesting to see who distinguishes themselves.

(08-22-2014 06:14 PM)DMT Wrote:  Keep forgetting we have two Shaqs... The WR corps is ridiculous this year, it'll be interesting to see who distinguishes themselves.

Defenses will have to pick their poison. We should be able to place more quality receivers (throw in RDA4 for situations that get him the ball in space) in formations than can be covered by good defenders. Man, it could be a nightmare for matchups.....

(08-22-2014 06:14 PM)DMT Wrote:  Keep forgetting we have two Shaqs... The WR corps is ridiculous this year, it'll be interesting to see who distinguishes themselves.

Chris Moore...

(08-22-2014 10:50 PM)Mopper Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 06:14 PM)DMT Wrote:  Keep forgetting we have two Shaqs... The WR corps is ridiculous this year, it'll be interesting to see who distinguishes themselves.

Chris Moore...

Mekale McKay

(08-22-2014 11:04 PM)ctipton Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 10:50 PM)Mopper Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 06:14 PM)DMT Wrote:  Keep forgetting we have two Shaqs... The WR corps is ridiculous this year, it'll be interesting to see who distinguishes themselves.

Chris Moore...

Mekale McKay

Chris Moore...

(08-23-2014 12:13 AM)GameTime_21 Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 11:04 PM)ctipton Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 10:50 PM)Mopper Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 06:14 PM)DMT Wrote:  Keep forgetting we have two Shaqs... The WR corps is ridiculous this year, it'll be interesting to see who distinguishes themselves.

Chris Moore...

Mekale McKay

Chris Moore...

Mekale McKay

Shaq and RDAIV catch a few over the middle, they draw the safeties up, pump fake, McKay has single coverage deep.......TD. Every game.

I've been waiting for good bubble screens since Gilyard (and Kelley) left. I know other plays have to set them up, and they set up other plays. Abernathy and Washington are perfect for this. I hope to see it used more this year.

McKay and Moore and Washington and Chisum and Morrison and RDA4 and Holton and.....

(08-23-2014 01:58 AM)ctipton Wrote:  

(08-23-2014 12:13 AM)GameTime_21 Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 11:04 PM)ctipton Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 10:50 PM)Mopper Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 06:14 PM)DMT Wrote:  Keep forgetting we have two Shaqs... The WR corps is ridiculous this year, it'll be interesting to see who distinguishes themselves.

Chris Moore...

Mekale McKay

Chris Moore...

Mekale McKay

Chris Moore.

If McKay wouldn't take half the plays off, he could be the guy. Maybe he'll turn over a new leaf this year, but until we see that, Moore is the more consistent threat.

(08-23-2014 10:21 AM)Bearcat85 Wrote:  

(08-23-2014 01:58 AM)ctipton Wrote:  

(08-23-2014 12:13 AM)GameTime_21 Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 11:04 PM)ctipton Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 10:50 PM)Mopper Wrote:  Chris Moore...

Mekale McKay

Chris Moore...

Mekale McKay

Chris Moore.

If McKay wouldn't take half the plays off, he could be the guy. Maybe he'll turn over a new leaf this year, but until we see that, Moore is the more consistent threat.

Im guessing he was still learning the playbook all season, considering he was only with the program for like a month before the season started. Didnt he find out the day of or the day before the Purdue game that he was eligible immediately? He probably wasnt even running with the starters in the 1 month leading up to the season. As the season wore on, it seemed like he was out there more and more.

(08-23-2014 10:37 AM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(08-23-2014 10:21 AM)Bearcat85 Wrote:  If McKay wouldn't take half the plays off, he could be the guy. Maybe he'll turn over a new leaf this year, but until we see that, Moore is the more consistent threat.

Im guessing he was still learning the playbook all season, considering he was only with the program for like a month before the season started. Didnt he find out the day of or the day before the Purdue game that he was eligible immediately? He probably wasnt even running with the starters in the 1 month leading up to the season. As the season wore on, it seemed like he was out there more and more.

I would add that he transferred from Arkansas so you don't know how smooth the change was from a personal standpoint with regard to a new community, university, teammates, coaches, etc. I believe his grandmother was ill too so he may have just had a lot to deal with his first year. I have no reason to believe he won't develop into our stud #1 receiver this year. Even if he just improves on his performance from last year would be a boon to the offense.

(08-23-2014 10:09 AM)bearcatdp Wrote:  I've been waiting for good bubble screens since Gilyard (and Kelley) left. I know other plays have to set them up, and they set up other plays. Abernathy and Washington are perfect for this. I hope to see it used more this year.

Not going to see many screens at all this year. Its just not a big part of the offense, its a wrinkle they have in the playbook, but nothing more than that.

Moore is the guy who seems to be standing out to those who have been out to Higher Ground.

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From what I've heard from camp....I'm looking for Holton to have a big year

(08-23-2014 07:51 AM)Dannyboy Wrote:  Shaq and RDAIV catch a few over the middle, they draw the safeties up, pump fake, McKay has single coverage deep.......TD. Every game.

This. I just hope Tubberville and his staff recognize this. If TT isn't running a 3, 4, or 5 wide set every down it'll be an extreme disappointment. This team's strength is at WR. As long as Kiel is competent, this has to be a fast paced spread offense.

Just have to keep the QB off his back, talent in skill positions overall is best I've seen at UC in a very long time. Need RB to step up and seize the job to complete the offense.

(08-25-2014 02:16 PM)FLIP Wrote:  Just have to keep the QB off his back, talent in skill positions overall is best I've seen at UC in a very long time. Need RB to step up and seize the job to complete the offense.

I'd like it if Green could take over, but I'm glad we also have Williams. We'll at least be decent in the run department. As long as the O-line stays healthy and the staff has realized this team isn't built for the type of "offense" they tried to run last year, I feel pretty good about this season.