Note: The following appears in the Georgia Tech football digital gameday guide, available HERE.
Elliot Washington II is a senior cornerback going strong in his first season at Clemson. Washington, who wears #3, is tied for second in the nation with five interceptions. He currently has two multiple-interception games, the first Tiger to do that in one season since current Tiger staffer DeAndre McDaniel accomplished the feat in 2009.
Washington began his college football career at Penn State, where he played 36 games for the Nittany Lions over three years. Last December, he entered the transfer portal.
“It was really just new scenery. I wanted to get back home and give back to the South and get back to the weather. Also, it was just a different opportunity here.”
One of those opportunities was getting to play for Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen once more. In 2024, Allen held the same position at Penn State, where he coached Washington for his best season as a Nittany Lion, where he had 26 tackles, six pass breakups and his first career interception. Reuniting with Allen helped to make Washington’s move to Clemson seamless.
“It's good to come back and be with a coach you were already with. It’s like second nature. You know the defense already. You already know the places that everybody needs to be. It’s about honing in on what you need to fix and excelling.”
Growing up, Washington was inspired by great defensive backs, from former Tigers to standout Alabama players.
“I was looking at all the great defensive backs that came, even from here…Avieon and A.J. Terrell, even some other corners that went to Alabama, like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Surtain II. I wanted to be a cornerback, so I watched their games and how they played and what they did. I'm a physical cornerback, so that's kind of my game.”
Throughout his career, he has always been able to lean on his parents, both of whom are former college athletes.
“My dad played basketball at Alabama, so he knows how it goes. It's second nature. If I have a problem, I'm going to ask him, or if I'm not feeling right, my mom can say something, because she played college sports, too. I have those two in my corner, in my ear constantly helping me.”
Washington’s father, Elliot, played basketball from 1991 to 1993 at Alabama.
“He's always told me to be who you are. It's getting the mental side of it. When you get the mental side down, your athleticism will show with it.”
Washington has had two double interception games this season, road games at California and Florida State. After making the picks, Washington makes sure to keep the same mindset going into the next play.
“Even though it's a positive in the game, I reset and move on to the next play. I try to have more fun than before. I have a six-second mentality, negative play or positive play. It’s also about having fun with the guys.”
Washington could see a successful season coming this year during spring training, when he had more than a handful of interceptions during practice.
“It started in the spring. I had eight interceptions. It was being around the ball and also studying the opponent. I trust my instincts and trust what I do. That really helped me.”
Washington has made a big impact in his first season as a Tiger. Each game and every practice, he holds himself to a consistent standard.
“I have a standard. My standard is to be excellent, not just for me, but also for the team. The best is required all the time. So that's my standard…the best.”
Five interceptions in, Washington is living up to the standard of the best.