For some, the midwinter is bleak, but Elliot Washington isnโt one of those people.
Itโs hard for players to make headlines during workouts.
Sure, Penn State makes it a little easier with each position groupโs coach naming a โCompetitor of the Dayโ for each session, and sometimes, players can raise a few eyebrows by winning a few of them.
But nobody had ever won every single one until Washington accomplished that feat this year.
Penn State had six winter workout sessions, and ย Washington was the Competitor of the Day for all six.
Now, letโs see what happens when the games start.
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 197 pounds
Hometown: Venice, Florida
Before Penn State:ย Washington was one of Penn Stateโs biggest recruiting wins of the 2023 cycle. He has been committed to Alabama since January, then flipped to Happy Valley in July after going on an official visit to Penn State the previous month. Washington, a four-star recruit, had a decorated career at Venice High School. He helped his team to two regional titles, two state title game appearances and the 2021 state championship.
2023:ย Washington was one of Penn Stateโs more active true freshman. Per Pro Football Focus, Washington played 63 snaps, which were fourth among Penn Stateโs 10 defensive signees.
Last year:ย Washington played in 14 of Penn Stateโs 16 games, starting one of them. He ended the year with 26 tackles (18 solo), one interception, six pass breakups and a half tackle for loss. Unfortunately for Washington, what a lot of Penn State fans will remember most about his season is an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Ohio State after what would have been a third down stop. Ohio State ended up scoring a touchdown on that drive and winning, 20-13.
But defensive backs have to have a short memory.
Where he stands:ย If Elliot Washington is healthy, heโll get plenty of playing time for Penn State. Whether itโs starting opposite A.J. Harris or playing behind Audavion Collins, Washington should be on the field plenty. The former prized recruit has gotten better ever year, and if his winter workout performance was any indication, Penn State fans could be in for a treat.
A quote by Washington:ย โAs a player, I’m developing way more than my sophomore year,โ Washington said. โI would say for sure, learning the playbook โ I know how to study now. So it’s more me just translating it on the field and showing my abilities.โ
A quote about Washington:ย “Never had a guy win every single one. I tell my coaches all the time, this isn’t like elementary school or kindergarten or little league, where everybody gets a smiley face and you try to spread the wealth so everybody’s happy. You give it to the guy who’s earned it, and Elliot came to work every single day.” โ James Franklin
