A Visit with 2026 Wide Receiver and Illinois native Zach Washington Who’s Set to be at Egg Bowl

OXFORD, Miss. — Talented class of 2026 wide receiver Zach Washington has been receiving the attention of plenty of programs with his strong play, swiftness, and ability to catch the deep ball.

Junior year highlights
16 TDs
1450 Total Yards

1st Team IHSFCA All-State
1st Team Red Grange All-County
1st Team CCL All-Conference
HM Gazette News All-State @EDGYTIM @SWiltfong_ @AllenTrieu @IamClint_C @SFHSFBWheaton @CoachMac44 @GregSmithRivals https://t.co/ndxs2YsJY9

— Zachary Washington (@zach5washington) November 28, 2024

The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder from Wheaton, Illinois ranks as the No. 72 overall wideout in the class and the No.12 overall player to come out of the state of Illinois. He has been building his offer sheet with 13, including: Indiana, Memphis, Miami, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, among others.

Many of the midwest schools are looking to keep Washington closer to home, but he knows Ole Miss has a strong history of producing some of the nation’s top collegiate and pro wide receivers.

Washington is set to make his way to Oxford for today’s Battle of the Golden Egg. We had a chance to catch up with him to preview his visit to the ‘Sip along with his recruitment.

A Visit with 2026 WR Zach Washington 

RW: What are you most looking forward to on your trip to the Egg Bowl and Oxford?

Washington: Looking forward to hopefully having some time with the coaches and see the team live. Really excited to see the environment and experience The Grove.

RW: What stands out about the way Ole Miss is recruiting you?

Washington: Coach McDonald is really upfront. I had a private workout at a camp I was at when he was coaching at Illinois when I was a freshman. Really looking forward to continuing to build that relationship.

RW: Ole Miss is known to develop strong players at your position. How does that factor in with your recruitment?

Washington: That’s huge for me! I want to be coached and pushed by the best to develop all my skills. The chance to hopefully do it at Ole Miss is even more motivating.

RW: Are there any schools right now recruiting you that are really standing out?

Washington: Mizzou, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana are the ones who stand out and have really shown interest. I have great relationships with the WR coaches at all those schools.

RW: What do you believe is your X-Factor skill-set as a wide receiver  that you could bring to a team like Ole Miss and the SEC?

Washington: My size and speed. I’m able to take tops off the defense. And I know I’m still growing and getting faster. I’m a hard worker on and off the field. I’m extremely competitive and there is no better competition than the SEC.

Washington has had a heck of a junior campaign and has been recognized as first team All-State, Conference, and All-County. He has notched plenty of big moments for his team, but perhaps one of my favorites was his score on a 95-yard kick return. In the same quarter, he also took a reverse for a 92-yard TD.

We look forward to sharing more from Washington during his time in Oxford. Stay Tuned!