Everyone associates schools like Alabama and USC as the main schools that produce NFL wide receivers but Penn State has quietly joined the mix. In past years they have had three notable receivers drafted which may not be the number of other schools but the quality is there.
This year they have another receiver with the NFL eyes on him already in Parker Washington.
Washington celebrated turning 20 years old this week and to see where he already speaks to both his natural and his ability to be coached. Penn State wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield made an impact last season helping both Jahan Dotson and Washington take the next steps they needed. Dotson as mentioned is getting primed for his Pro Day this week as he continues to work his way into the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.
For Washington, the coaching of Stubblefield last year also helped him to improve upon a solid freshman campaign. He nearly doubled his receiving numbers across the board his sophomore season and now in his junior season expectations may be even higher.
THIS ONE-HANDED CATCH BY PARKER WASHINGTON 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7qPlwwyDcX
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2022
He will be coming into the season as the new number one receiver on the team and he will be working with quarterback Sean Clifford for a third straight year. That relationship between a quarterback and receiver is invaluable and for him to grow with Clifford does wonders for both men. As you can see above, Washington has a skillset that is highlighted by his strong and reliable hands but he also wins at the line of scrimmage as well. The way he wins is what should have Penn State fans as excited about Washington this year as it does NFL and the media.
Turning the focus back in on spring football for the Nittany Lions, they have a lot of new faces and a lot of new names on the team and staff. Players like Clifford and Parker Washington will look to lead an offense that also has some youth and transfer portal infusion. What is important to remember though is that much like Dotson was this past year, the top receiver in this Nittany Lion offense is the straw that stirs the drink.
With Dotson’s departure, the spotlight will be on Washington but that isn’t anything new. Coming out of Lake Travis, Texas as a four-star recruit the expectations have always been high and now he is primed to prove he can handle them and lift this Nittany Lions offense to new heights.
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