Chauncey Washington

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Washington (#23) as the Trojans running back against the Stanford Cardinal
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Washington (#23) as the Trojans running back against the Stanford Cardinal

Chauncey Washington (born April 29, 1985) is is a college football running back attending the University of Southern California (USC).

Contents

[edit] High school career

Washington had a heralded career as an athlete at South Torrance High School. In his Senior 2002 season, he earned numerous All-American honors, running for 1,549 yards on 140 carries (11.1 avg.) with 23 TDs while catching 13 passes for 200 yards (15.4 avg.) with 2 TDs in 2002 despite missing 5 games with a knee injury. He also earned substantial notice as a sophomore and junior player

As a Senior, Washington was ranked as the #12 running back in the nation by ESPN.com was aggressively recruited by USC and Michigan State, as well as Wisconsin, Oregon, Oregon State, ASU, Arizona, Boston College and Washington State.

[edit] College career

Although Washington admitted he grew up as a rival-UCLA fan, he became USC's second commitment to the 2003 recruiting class in May of 2002. That heralded Trojan recruiting class that included two other highly touted running backs: 2005 Heisman Trophy-winner Reggie Bush as well as Colorado high school all-star and future USC touchdown leader LenDale White. Going into their freshman 2003 season, all three backs were considered to be talented enough to challenge for the starting position and all three played during the USC opener at Auburn. Unfortunately, his first three seasons were hampered by numerous problems.

Washington's freshman season was limited by a nagging ankle injury suffered in the second game of the season that caused him to miss half the season and the 2004 spring practice due to a stress fracture in the ankle. He was ruled academically ineligible for the 2004 season and was redshirted. After an impressive spring practice in 2005, he was again academically ineligible for the 2005 season and lost his athletic scholarship. After mulling entering the NFL Draft, quitting or transferring to a different school (with easier academic requirements); Washington, encouraged by his parents, teammates and university staff, decided to stay in school and focus on academics while paying his own way through school. After much focus and hard work, Washington finally regained academic eligibility in the spring of 2006, and regained his scholarship that August.

Initially planned as the starting running back for the 2006 USC Trojans, the redshirt-Junior suffered a hamstring injury in pre-season practice. To allow Washington to properly recover, USC began the 2006 season with first-ever true freshman running back. By mid-season, Washington had re-gained the starting position. He told the Los Angeles Times' Gary Klein that he had decided to forego the 2007 NFL Draft and return for his redshirt senior season.

[edit] Trivia

  • Washington's nickname among friends and teammates is "C-Dub".
  • At USC Washington chose to wear 23, his high school number 32 backwards (USC had retired the jersey number #32).
  • Washington has eight sisters, and one brother.
  • He is a devout fan of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

[edit] External links and references

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