'The light switch has come on' for a Penn State defender; which position group will it impact in 2025?
Elliot Washington was the first cornerback through drills at the fourth Penn State spring practice of the year on Tuesday. That revelation should not surprise anyone who’s been paying attention this offseason. The junior has been on a tear since winter workouts started back in February. During those, he went six-for-six as position coach Terry Smith’s competitor of the day, which head coach James Franklin said has never happened in his 15 years of overseeing winter workouts.
Washington has played plenty over his first two seasons in State College. But, after being overtaken by newcomers AJ Harris and Jalen Kimber for the starting spots a year ago coming out of preseason camp, he ultimately fell to fifth on the final snap count sheet for corners by season’s end. While some of that can be chalked up to injury (he missed two games), the way the 2024 season went undoubtedly pushed the Venice, Fla., native to invest even more this offseason if he wanted to take Kimber’s starting spot opposite Harris. So far, his efforts are paying off.
“He’s really taken it to another level,” Smith said. “Super, super happy and proud of him for his off season. He had a tremendous winter workout session. This first week of spring ball, he’s been doing really well. He’s running with the ones. He’s stepping into that position the way he should, and he deserves it right now. So he’s working really hard, and he’s delivering on the field as well.”
The light switch has turned on for Penn State cornerback Elliot Washington
Washington came to Penn State as a four-star recruit, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, in the Class of 2023. He was one of four freshman green-lit to play that fall. After getting his feet wet in year one, the big jump in year two didn’t exactly happen. But, by all accounts, it is taking place now. And, that has the defender surging to the front of the list of most talked about players this offseason.
“He’s super explosive, maybe the most explosive guy we have on our team,” Franklin said of Washington. “Maybe the most horsepower, in terms of speed on our team. He’s a big corner at 190-something pounds, has shown flashes.
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“There’s a lot of excitement in the building, and he’s earned it. So I’m proud. Coach’s kid, great family, done it the right way. So I’m proud of him and his hard work and attitude. It’s paid dividends for him, and I think it’s going to show up in the fall. Just got to keep stacking days.”
He’s stacked days so far. It’s evident why: As Smith said, the light bulb has come on. And, it has Washington on track for a big year. He, Harris, and Audavion Collins will lead the Lions’ cornerbacks room in 2025.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, and the light switch has come on where he’s consistent,” Smith said Tuesday. “So he’s performing. He’s learning how to work himself into shape. He’s learning how to pursue the back as the backside corner, running to the front side of the play, working on his conditioning, and each day getting stronger.
“It’s always a pleasure and enjoyable to see your guys when the light switch comes on, and they really understand the message now. So he’s in that phase, and, we’re just going to continue to work him and get him better and better.”
