Senior wide receiver and team captain #19 Shaq Washington finished his last week at Camp Higher Ground this past summer. As with other traditions, he was sure to keep with tradition and switch up his jersey the last day of camp, going with the #7, which he wore as a quarterback in high school at Maple Heights and also as a freshman here at UC. While Shaq misses the days of “throwing touchdown passes in tortoise framed glasses,” he does get to play a little wildcat offense every now and then.
Shaq’s goals for the year included coming out to win every game and doing whatever he needed to do to help lead the receiver corps., which is by far the most talented group of receivers he’s been around in his career. He is also eyeing the all-time receptions record here at UC. Named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list for the 2nd straight year, he needs 55 catches to become the UC career receptions leader. Mardy Gilyard, Dominick Goodman and LaDaris Vann currently share the UC record with 204 catches each.
His favorite moments playing at UC include the bowl games, when the players get a chance to go away for a week or so and bond with each other. His favorite tattoo includes an Egyptian Pharaoh of his stomach. His favorite tune to listen to before practice is U Hear Me by Shy Glizzy.
Last weekend was a scary moment for the Bearcat Nation as Shaq was briefly knocked out of the Miami game in Oxford. After a crushing hit, he rose to his feet, sprinted toward the sideline, and then dropped again to the turf. Of course fans were worried about missing out on his speed and reliability for the remainder of the hard-fought game. But more than that, Shaq is a morale leader on and off the field. This team needs him.
Thankfully he returned to the game and provided some much needed grabs in the winning effort. This Thursday be on the lookout for when Gunner Kiel’s sure-handed security blanket zips past the Memphis Tigers over the middle.
By Andy Smith