Penn State's Parker Washington declares for NFL draft
Dec. 9—Parker Washington, Penn State's leading receiver this season, announced Friday that he will declare for the 2023 NFL draft, skipping his final two years of eligibility
The 5-10, 212-pound Washington, a three-year starter, made 46 catches for 611 yards and two touchdowns before missing the final two games of the regular season with an undisclosed injury or medical condition.
He also was the Nittany Lions' primary punt returner, averaging 5.5 yards on 18 attempts. He received All-Big Ten honorable mention as a receiver.
"Thank you to my family and my coaches for the discussions," he wrote on social media, "for helping me weigh the pros and cons, for helping me choose the next path in my journey.
"With that being said I will be declaring for the 2023 NFL draft."
Washington, who was rated a four-star prospect by 247 Sports, started all nine games as a freshman in 2020, catching 36 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns. He led all Big Ten freshmen in receptions, yards and TD catches.
He had 64 catches for 820 yards and five touchdowns last year, second on the team behind Jahan Dotson, who was drafted in the first round by the Washington Commanders.
The best game of his career came against Ohio State in October at Beaver Stadium, where he grabbed 11 passes for 179 yards and one TD in a 44-31 loss.
Washington finished his Penn State career with 146 receptions (ninth in school history) for 1,920 yards (12th) and 12 TDs (16th). He had a fourth year of eligibility left and a fifth year because of the NCAA coronavirus waiver.
"The memories I have made during my time so far with this Penn State family have been and will always be unforgettable," he wrote. "The fans, the Penn State White-Out, the roar of 107K strong. ... Unbelievable."
In anticipation of Washington's departure and the exhausted eligibility of Mitchell Tinsley, Penn State coach James Franklin and his staff have been actively pursuing wide receivers in the transfer portal, offering several scholarships.
