The decision is in for Penn State WR Parker Washington

Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington’s junior season didn’t exactly end as he planned, as the Texas native missed the final two games of the regular season with an injury that will also put him out for the bowl game. It turns out that his appearance against Maryland will have been the last time Nittany Lions fans watched him in blue and white. Washington announced on Friday afternoon that he will forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2023 NFL Draft.

“The memories I have made during my time so far with this Penn State family has been and will always be unforgettable. The fans, the Penn State White Out, the roar of 107K strong.. Unbelievable,” Washington said in a statement.

“To my brothers, there is nothing more treasured to me, than having the honor of competing and preparing with you guys each and every week. As well as having the opportunity and all the experiences of such a unique brotherhood. That alone is truly a blessing.

“To my coaches and the support staff, words could never express my humbleness and gratitude for allowing me the opportunity to develop and mature, not only as a football player, but as a man.

“Thank you to my family and coaches for the discussions, 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 was Penn State’s leading receiver in 2022

Despite missing two games, Washington finished the regular season at Penn State’s leading receiver with 46 catches for 611 yards and two touchdowns. As the No. 2 behind Jahan Dotson in 2021, Washington caught 64 passes for 820 yards and four scores. He had a career-high six touchdown catches as a freshman in 2020. Washington has caught a pass in all 32 games he’s played as a Nittany Lion, averaging 13.2 yards per grab along the way. He also served as Penn State’s primary punt returner in 2022, when he averaged 5.5 yards per return. 

Washington’s top performance this season came against Ohio State back in October. He hauled in a career-high 11 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown, which came on a 58-yard catch-and-run in which he spun away from a pair of Buckeyes defenders for the score. 

He has been projected as a mid-round pick in some NFL mock drafts. Penn State wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield noted that some of little things Washington does will make him a coveted prospect at the next level.

“At the next level, you have to be able to run, you have to be able to get open and you have to be able to catch the ball,” he said in November.

“Those are some of the things that he does extremely well. Sometimes with guys his size you have to be elite, and his hands are absolutely elite. So if given that opportunity to play at the next level, I have full confidence that Parker will be a huge asset to any NFL team.”

Nittany Lions’ wide receiver outlook in 2022

Penn State will also lose former transfer Mitchell Tinsley to the NFL following the season, as the former Western Kentucky standout has exhausted his college eligibility. The Nittany Lions are slated to return starting experience in KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tre Wallace. However, they’ll still hit the NCAA Transfer Portal heavy with an emphasis on the position. Following the four wideouts mentioned above, Penn State’s next leading wide receiver was redshirt freshman Liam Clifford with eight catches for 89 yards. True freshman Omari Evans played in 12 games this season and finished with five catches for 55 yards and a score. Freshman Kaden Saunders was able to preserve his redshirt by playing in only two games. He finished with two catches for 21 yards. Veterans Malick Meiga and Jaden Dottin combined for five catches last season.