Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1472993
A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 4 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M WIDE RECEIVERS T he universe contracts when there's a pass headed in Parker Washington's direction. To Washington, a third-year sopho- more receiver and the presumptive leader of Penn State's wideout corps this coming fall, none of the external factors matter when the ball's in the air. The down-and- distance situation, the score, the crowd, even the guy who's covering him — they all recede into insignificance in those mo- ments, leaving just Washington and the football. "It comes down to just being laser- focused," he said. "The biggest thing in my mind is, just make the catch. I feel like that helps with my hand-eye coordina- tion, being able to focus on nothing but the football no matter who the defender is, no matter how loud it is. I feel like when guys do that, they're able to make those tough catches." Anyone who saw him pull in a seem- ingly impossible catch against Arkansas in the Outback Bowl last January has wit- nessed the intensity of Washington's fo- cus. The overthrown pass was sailing over his head, a sure incompletion, until he spun around and extended his arm as he was lunging backward. The ball miracu- lously stuck to his outstretched hand, and Penn State found itself with an improb- able first down. It's now been nearly eight months since he made that reception, and Washington has no idea how many times he's seen it on video. He watched it five or six times after the game, but now it keeps popping up on the social media platforms he visits, making it impossible for him to even offer an estimate. Washington does, however, know ex- actly how he ended up in a position to make such a spectacular catch. It was because of the single-minded attitude that he brings with him to every game, an attitude that position coach Taylor Stubblefield has helped refine over the past two seasons. "In that situation, by any means, you have to come down with the catch," Wash- ington said. "Stubbs coaches that way as well: By any means, win. Make the play, make the catch. I feel like it's a mindset thing, and it helped me in that situation. "I hope to make more plays like that in the future." He isn't the only one. With Jahan Dotson off to the NFL after leading the Nittany Lions in receiving the past two seasons, Washington's coaches and teammates are hoping that he will continue to dazzle. In truth, it's more of a need than a hope. Other than classmate KeAndre Lambert Smith, there isn't a re- turning wideout on the roster with more than 3 career catches. Washington, who finished second on the team in receptions both of the past two seasons, will have to produce big numbers for the Nittany Lions to get where they want to go. The good news for Penn State is that Washington seems entirely capable of de- livering just such a performance. Mind Over Matter Parker Washington brings a highly focused mentality to the Nittany Lions' receiving corps M AT T H E R B | M AT T. H E R B @ O N 3 . C O M