STATE COLLEGE -- Penn State just said good-bye to a couple of physical freaks in All-Americans Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren, two Nittany Lions who go in the first half of the first round in the NFL draft.
There are plenty left in the program – running back Nick Singleton, offensive lineman Vega Ioane and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton come to mind.
But as PSU spring practices continue to grow in intensity now that we are in November, a new name has emerged this the offseason.
It started when junior Elliot Washington II was singled out as the most impressive cornerback in all six of the program’s winter workouts.
And it’s continued early in spring drills.
The 5-11, 197-pound Washington is going to be tough to keep off the field.
“I’ve never seen that before, in my 12 years here, and three years at Vanderbilt, never had a guy win every single (workout),” Penn State head coach James Franklin said Tuesday after the Lions’ practice, asked about Washington.
“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 we try to spread the wealth so everybody’s happy.
“Give it to the guy who’s earned it and Elliot came to work every single day. He just continues to get better. He’s super explosive, maybe the most explosive guy we have on our team.
“He’s a big corner, he’s 190-something pounds,” Franklin continued.
“(He) has shown flashes, (there’s) been a lot of excitement in the building and he’s earned it. So, I’m proud of him.”
1/34
Penn State football practice, April 1, 2025
Penn State’s cornerback room again looms as a team strength despite losing Jalen Kimber. Junior A.J. Harris, a third-team All-Big Ten choice, is back and position coach Terry Smith will lean on Washington, third-year corner Zion Tracy and fourth-year Lion Audavion Collins.
Washington, who appeared in 14 games in 2024, led PSU in pass breakups with six and he also intercepted a pass.
“He’s really taken it to another level,” Smith said of Washington.
“I’m super-happy and proud of him, for his offseason. He had a tremendous winter workout session. This first week of spring ball, he’s been doing really well, he’s running with the 1’s.
“He’s stepping into that position the way he should, and he deserves it right now. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast and the light switch has come on, where he’s consistent.”
Franklin added: ““His hard work and attitude, it’s paying dividends for him, and I think it’s going to show up in the fall.”