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Penn State football: Parker Washington has nothing left to prove, but perhaps more left to achieve with Lions

Luke Glusco

By Luke Glusco

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Parker Washington could be a couple games or a couple years from the end of his Penn State career. Root for the latter, Penn State fans.

Since arriving in State College in 2020, the 5-10, 212-pound receiver has been clutch and consistent.

Washington epitomizes one of coach James Franklin’s favorite refrains.

“Our guys are high-production and low-maintenance,” the 9th-year head coach said, again, during this week’s pre-Rutgers media session. “We don’t have a lot of issues off the field.”

No one in the program has been more businesslike and professional than Washington over the past 3 seasons.

Arriving in Happy Valley from Sugar Land, Texas, as a 4-star recruit, the sticky-handed slot receiver went right to work. He started and made 2 receptions in a nightmare opening loss at Indiana, including a 9-yard TD snag in overtime that would have made him the hero of his debut if not for … . Well, you know, Michael Penix Jr. and Stretch-gate.

Since then, Washington has played in 31 more consecutive games, making at least 1 catch in each while never once losing a fumble, causing trouble or delivering a disparaging word to anyone.

Somewhat soft-spoken, almost always wearing a smile, he’s been a model of team-first class and work ethic from Day 1.

He arrived college-ready, a few pounds over 200 with a solid build and perhaps an even more solid mindset. He chose Penn State because he believed the Nittany Lions were building a program capable of competing for a national championship and he wanted to be a part of it.

In that regard, it’s been a tough route. Not many Nittany Lions have played in and lost the first 5 games of their true freshman year. Not many have endured a 2-year stretch of .500 football.

Washington has never been part of the problem. He’s been a sure thing amid the chaos.

In 2020 and 2021, he ranked second on the team behind Jahan Dotson in catches and receiving yards. This year, he heads into the trip to Piscataway with team highs of 46 catches for 611 yards. Veteran transfer Mitchell Tinsley has settled in as the No. 2 receiver.

Circumstances have conspired to limit Washington’s production this season. If he wants to have a Dotson-esque finale, he’ll have to return in 2023 for what would be a junior season, eligibility-wise. Like Dotson, who made himself into an NFL first-round pick last year with a monster season (91 catches, 1,182 yards, 12 TDs), Washington could benefit from another college campaign.

Washington made 64 catches for 820 yards as Dotson’s wingman last year, totals that ranked in the top 10 among B1G receivers. At his current pace, he’ll finish slightly below those totals this year, but for reasons that have nothing to do with his effort and skill. Several factors have limited his output:

  • The offense has evolved into a run-first unit. Passing attempts and yards are down slightly on a per-game basis.
  • Sean Clifford has overthrown a bunch of deep balls this seasons, including 2 directed toward an open Washington last weekend against Maryland.
  • Tinsley has shared targets almost evenly with Washington, snaring 39 balls for 452 yards.
  • Tight end production is way up, with Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson already with more receiving yards than all of last season.

Tinsley moves on after this year, so Washington could have a season to thrive as the clear top dog in the WR room in 2023 if he wants it. The next leading WRs this season are Keandre Lambert-Smith and Harrison Wallace III, each with 13 receptions for 173 yards.

Washington has a decision to make in the next couple months.

Anyone who watches his video highlights knows he’s got classic slot receiver game. He’ll make the tough catches over the middle for 1st downs. He can bounce off defenders for yards after the catch, not surprising given that he has the build of running back. He has above-average speed, but more importantly quickness, burst, toughness and smarts.

“My weight helps me to be able to block, because, playing slot, you have to deal with Big Ten linebackers each week,” he said way back in the spring of 2021.

“I work a lot with trying to make the tough catches. A lot of my preparation before practice and before games is practicing on the Jugs making tough catches. I feel like I’m  pretty good at that. I think the next step, though, is getting comfortable seeing the defenses and identifying what they’re doing a lot more. That comes over time.”

Washington has put in that time, and he’s reaping the benefits.

Working with position coach Taylor Stubblefield, Washington took to heart the idea of pushing his football IQ from incoming freshman “like 100 level. We need you at 200 level.”

Beyond that, there are the physical skills. Washington has a collection of high-point and leaping 1-handed catches on film.

https://youtu.be/Uq7T_ecjuQg

“Obviously, we always game plan trying to put Parker into position to make plays,” Franklin said recently. “But the defense knows that, as well. So if he’s not open, we’re not just going to force it to him, we’re going to move on [through] the progression.”

Washington hasn’t been needed as much this season, but he rose to the occasion when called upon in the heartbreaking loss to Ohio State, snaring 11 passes from Clifford for 179 yards and a touchdown. That’s his — and the team’s — only 100-yard receiving game of the season, and the 3rd of Washington’s career. The previous week against Minnesota, Washington had 7 receptions for 70 yards and his only other TD of 2022.

After the loss to the Buckeyes, Washington said the key for him is just “staying in the moment, staying locked in, and understanding the opportunities. That’s all I can do.”

The next opportunity might be the NFL, as he’d probably be a mid-round draft choice at worst if he decides to go.

Or he could stay and pursue that national title with his young, up-and-coming teammates, including a 5-star quarterback who could really use his help. He’s already No. 9 in career receptions (146) at PSU and should climb to No. 8 in receiving yards by the end of the season. He’ll have a shot at No. 1 in both categories if he decides to return.

“He’s made plays really his entire career here,” Franklin said in a post-Ohio State media session. “He is a contested-catch guy. … He’s a really good route runner and has been productive. He had some opportunities tonight to make some plays, [and] he made those plays. Obviously, I got a ton of respect for Parker and the type of player that he is.”

Whatever Christopher Parker Washington decides, he’s someone worth rooting for. Fans can only hope they’ll be able to do so from the Beaver Stadium bleachers for at least 1 more season.

Luke Glusco

Luke Glusco is a Penn State graduate and veteran journalist. He covers Penn State and occasionally writes about other Big Ten programs and topics. He also serves as the primary copy editor for Saturday Tradition.