He became a starter for Georgia Tech as a redshirt sophomore after Joshua Nesbitt was injured during 2010 football season, and emerged as a dual-threat quarterback.

[1][2][3] The Jackets lost that game 28–21, but Washington, who had risen to the backup spot after Jaybo Shaw transferred earlier in the year, held his own.

However, during those four games, Washington gained valuable experience, and he helped lead the Yellow Jackets to 6–0 start during the first half of the 2011 football season.

[4][5] Georgia Tech won only two of the next seven games to finish out the 2011 football season, which included a win over the Clemson Tigers on October 29, 2011 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

In addition, Clemson's offense was almost completely shutdown by Georgia Tech's defense in the first half, and the Tigers were plagued by turnovers, which contributed to the win for the Yellow Jackets.

Georgia Tech also lost to Middle Tennessee State and Clemson, which led to the firing of defensive coordinator Al Groh.

[7][8] Washington shared the quarterback position with Vad Lee during the 2012 season, who saw only limited playing time until Georgia Tech faced North Carolina on November 10.

[9][10][11] Even though Washington nearly let his starting job slip away, the Yellow Jackets' starter was the star of the show against the Duke Blue Devils on November 17, 2012.

[12] Washington set the record when he capped a 13-play drive with his 1-yard scoring run on Georgia Tech's first possession, which was his 36th rushing touchdown.

Washington's performance during that game helped Georgia Tech beat Duke 42–24, a key victory which clinched the ACC Coastal Division title for the Yellow Jackets.