One of the more unheralded running backs in the recent USC era of standout ballcarriers, Washington has had to overcome a series of battles to remain on the field.

At age nine, Washington woke up one morning to find he could not move his legs. The paralysis lasted for more than a week before it just as mysteriously disappeared. "They still haven't figured out what it was," the running back recalls. "After seven days, I got the feeling back in my legs. It was painful, but I started gaining strength. Next thing I know, I started to walk again. Once I got out of the hospital, I started running faster. For some reason, I felt fast. And no, I wouldn't recommend being paralyzed to everyone … I don't think I'll meet any other challenges like that in my life. It makes you stronger as a person."

When he arrived at Southern California, academics, more than anything else, prevented Washington from living up to his lofty high school headlines. He was academically ineligible to play during the 2004 and 2005 campaigns. He was also ruled ineligible during spring ball in 2006 and 2007. "I'm not sure why, to be honest," Washington said. "I just got lazy the first few weeks of school. It's more from not going to classes. I got too much of myself. It happens."

"I got discouraged, but my father picked me up. He said, 'Let's go. You've still got time. You're young. Everything will work out.' It's all paying off … I've waited a long time. You need to have patience. It's just like when you're running with the ball. You need patience then … Some people would have given up after what I went through, but I believe I'm strong and it made me into more of a man to stick with it."

Injuries also played a role in holding Washington back. A right ankle sprain in 2003 sidelined him for all but seven games, as he re-injured it during the course of that season. The injury was later diagnosed as a stress fracture. A nagging left hamstring strain in 2006 limited him to just four starting assignments and he later suffered a knee strain that limited his carries near the end of that season. He then missed the 2007 season opener vs. Idaho after suffering a right shoulder strain in August camp.

Washington has also had to battle with conditioning issues, but made a determined effort before the 2007 season to reduce his body fat and increase his stamina. He mainly credits three people for his lighter, sleeker physique. According to the fifth-year senior, Chris Carlisle, Brandon Hancock and George Foreman helped him shed 24 pounds during the offseason. Carlisle, USC's strength coach, provided the workout regimen.

Hancock, a former Trojans fullback and bodybuilding aficionado, supplied nutritional advice. Foreman, the former boxing champion, was the namesake for the popular grill on which Washington prepared his high-protein meals. "Chicken breasts, egg whites -- George Foreman did it all," Washington said after arriving at training camp weighing 216 pounds.

At South Torrance High School, Washington earned 2002 Super Prep, Prep Star and Tom Lemming All-American honors. He added Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Orange County Register Fab 15 and Cal-Hi Sports All-State Medium Schools honors. He was also selected to the All-CIF Southern Section, All-CIF Division X, Los Angeles Times All-South Bay/Westside and South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay team.

The All-Pioneer League Co-MVP ran for 1,549 yards on 140 carries (11.1 avg) with 23 touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 200 yards (15.4 avg) with two scores in 2002, despite missing five games with a knee injury. As a junior in 2001, he was named to the All-CIF Division X, Los Angeles Times All-South Bay, South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay and All-Ocean League first teams.

That season, he gained 1,975 yards on 225 carries (8.8 avg) with 26 touchdowns, plus had 22 catches for 273 yards (12.4 avg) with two scores and returned 10 kickoffs for 324 yards (32.4 avg). As a sophomore in 2000, Washington made the All-Ocean League first team as he rushed for 1,548 yards on 179 carries (8.6 avg). He also competed for South Torrance's soccer and track (with a best of 10.5 in the 100 meters) teams.

Rated the nation's eighth-best running back prospect by Rivals.com, Washington rejected any and all scholarship offers from other universities, as he was determined to play for Southern California in 2003. He lined up as the third string tailback behind All-Americans Reggie Bush and LenDale White. In between his ankle problems, he carried the ball 19 times for 65 yards (3.4 avg), caught one pass for 6 yards and recorded three tackles.

Academics kept him away from the team during the 2004 and '05 seasons. He was still academically ineligible for 2006 spring ball, but improved his grades in summer school to rejoin the team for the 2006 campaign.

Washington started four of 12 games while battling with a left hamstring injury for most of the year. He still managed to lead the team with 744 yards and nine touchdowns on 157 attempts (4.7 avg). He added 93 yards on nine catches (10.3 avg) and recorded a solo tackle. Later in the year, he was also limited by a knee sprain.

Washington again struggled with academics before the 2007 campaign and then had to deal with a right shoulder contusion in fall camp. He did not make his 2007 debut until the team's second game and returned to the starting lineup the following week. He earned All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention, as he led the Trojans with 195 carries for 969 yards (5.0 avg) and 10 touchdowns, adding 59 yards with two scores on seven receptions (8.4 avg). During the season, running backs coach Todd McNair said, "Chauncey is more powerful than some of the smaller guys and more shifty than the big guys. He's got a unique power-speed combination."

Positives: Has a solid frame with good upper body muscle tone, wide waist and hips and thick thighs and calves … Much more effective changing direction at 215 pounds than he showed earlier in his career when playing at 240 … Team-first type who takes well to hard coaching, but lacks any sort of leadership skills … Runs with a normal stride and a steady acceleration, showing functional initial quickness, balance and body control with some ability to slide and adjust running between tackles (liability running on the outside) … Has good toughness, running low in his pads to create movement taking the ball up the middle … stays on his feet and bounces off tackles much better in the short area than when on the perimeter … Has the strength to easily break tackles and move some piles, as he works hard to get through traffic, showing enough balance after the initial hit to stay on his feet and work for extra yardage … Quick out of his stance and into the holes, as he corrected a hitch in his initial step prior to his senior year … Needs to do a better job of anticipating his blockers, but shows the ability to drive through arm tackles (still must become more patient letting the play develop) … When he finds a seam, he can use his balance and leg drive on initial contact to move through tight quarters … Runs with better balance when he keeps his pads down, but has a tendency to rely on the cut back when he shouldn't … Has the lower body power to keep his feet moving, but not when he tries to run lean … Does an adequate job protecting the ball through traffic … Efficient on dump-offs and controlled routes when he can catch the ball in stride, but is not recommended for use on deep patterns or be relied upon to instinctively know when to work back to the ball when the quarterback is in trouble … Much better cut blocker, as he is adequate at stalking second level defenders, but seems to want no part in playing the lead blocker role or facing up to bigger defenders in pass protection.

Negatives: Has had some weight issues in the past, but dropped close to 25 pounds before his senior year, showing much better lateral agility and the ability to run at a lower pad level than he did at a heavier weight … Type of player who will compete hurt, but has had a rash of nagging minor injuries that has limited his performances … Struggles with his academics and does get lazy in his training (will need to be monitored) and might have a problem digesting a complicated playbook (special education student that requires help in his class work) … Lacks the sudden burst or top end speed to escape quickly and is better as a north-south runner, as he gathers too much when trying to turn the corner, showing no explosiveness running through the rush lane … Lacks great field vision and pick-and-slide agility (will run right into traffic rather than try to avoid) … Does not have the feet or balance to accelerate quickly … Needs to be more patient running the ball, as he lacks a good feel for his blockers and looks hesitant trying to find the cutback lanes when the holes are clogged … Does not have the pure speed or acceleration to turn the corner and fails to generate much hip wiggle and shake to avoid second-level defenders when he gets past the line of scrimmage … Marginal route runner who is rarely exposed in the passing game, as he does not have a good feel for tracking the ball in flight and displays rock-hard hands … Shows a keen reluctance to block in limited chances as a fullback and his lack of desire, along with weak hand jolt and poor hand placement sees him yield ground when asked to protect the pocket … Seems to lack courage as a blocker, as he will duck his head and literally step out of the path of an edge rusher, making only a passive attempt to initiate contact.

Compares To: MIKE BELL-Denver … If a team is looking for an adequate chain-moving, north-south runner, Washington will be a nice late-round find. He has battled learning issues, weight issues and injury issues throughout his career, but despite a lack of explosion has found a way to move the ball through traffic. He lacks route running ability and has shown a distain for blocking, making him a non-factor for a potential move to fullback. For depth purposes only, he could make a roster, but there are just too many more battles for him to overcome if he ever hopes of starting at the next level.

2002: Sat out five games with a knee sprain during his high school senior year.

2003: Suffered a right ankle sprain vs. Hawaii (9/13), missing the next two games vs. California and Arizona State … Re-injured his ankle vs. Washington State (11/01), sitting out the team's final four contests vs. Arizona, UCLA, Oregon State and Michigan.

2006: Suffered a left hamstring strain in an early August scrimmage and the injury would hamper him throughout the season … Strained his right knee vs. Oregon (11/11) that would limit his carries in the team's final four contests.

2007: Suffered a right shoulder sprain the third week of August camp (8/23) and was sidelined for the season opener vs. Idaho (9/01), as he kept his arm in a sling for several weeks to speed the recovery process.

Campus: 4.6 in the 40-yard dash … 335-pound bench press … 480-pound back squat … 308-pound hang clean … 34-inch vertical jump … 30 ½-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands … Right-handed.

Combine: Did not work out due to right shoulder injury.

Attended South Torrance (Calif.) High School, playing football for head coach Brett Peabody … Earned 2002 Super Prep, Prep Star and Tom Lemming All-American honors … Added Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Orange County Register Fab 15 and Cal-Hi Sports All-State Medium Schools honors … Selected to the All-CIF Southern Section, All-CIF Division X, Los Angeles Times All-South Bay/Westside and South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay team … The All-Pioneer League Co-MVP ran for 1,549 yards on 140 carries (11.1 avg) with 23 touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 200 yards (15.4 avg) with two scores in 2002, despite missing five games with a knee injury … As a junior in 2001, he was named to the All-CIF Division X, Los Angeles Times All-South Bay, South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay and All-Ocean League first teams … That season, he gained 1,975 yards on 225 carries (8.8 avg) with 26 touchdowns, plus had 22 catches for 273 yards (12.4 avg) with two scores and returned 10 kickoffs for 324 yards (32.4 avg) … As a sophomore in 2000, Washington made the All-Ocean League first team as he rushed for 1,548 yards on 179 carries (8.6 avg) … Also competed for South Torrance's soccer and track (with a best of 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters) teams.

Sociology major … Born 4/29/86 … Resides in Torrance, California.