Jahan Dotson's Penn State Scouting Report

Injuries derailed the team's College Football Playoff hopes in 2021, Dotson said. He expects the Lions to contend this year.

Jahan Dotson's new Washington Commanders locker room bustles with Ohio State Buckeyes, notably at his wide receiver position. So here's what the rookie receiver from Penn State tells them when talk turns to the 2021 season.

"I always say this: If it weren't for injuries, we would have been in the College Football Playoff last year," Dotson said. "... I hear it from [Commanders receiver] Curtis [Samuel] all the time, and I say, 'Listen, if it wasn't for injuries, last year would have been our year.' I truly believe that. And I'll stand on that forever."

Dotson recently drew plenty of Penn State fans to his hometown youth clinic, which he conducted as a Lehigh Valley Health Network "Impact Athlete." Dotson hosted the clinic with some former teammates, notably quarterback Sean Clifford, who signed an NIL deal with LVHN as an Impact Athlete.

Clifford's injury at Iowa last October proved to be the turning point of Penn State's 2021 season. The then-unbeaten Lions led 17-3 but lost Clifford and defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher to injuries in the first half against the Hawkeyes.

Penn State lost that game 23-20 and five of their remaining seven to finish 7-6. Both Clifford and Mustipher return to a roster that intends to "right the ship" this season. And Dotson has high expectations for Clifford, a fourth-year starter who recently turned 24.

"I don’t know what he’s not ready for; he’s probably ready for every situation possible," Dotson said. "I just can’t wait to see him flourish. He has all the tools, ... so I’m excited for him to get another crack at the College Football Playoff, and I know he’s going to be able to do it.

"He has the talent, and he has the talent around him. He’s got everything he could ask for."

Regarding that talent. Dotson wants to move past who might replace him. He has some ideas.

"One name that sticks out to me the most: Parker Washington," Dotson said of the third-year receiver. "He’s going to have a huge year. I truly can’t wait. I was kind of the upperclassman in the room when he came in, and it's been great seeing him flourish as a receiver, flourish as a man.

"He treats every day as a professional. I can’t wait to see him flourish. I think they’re going to have a big year. Offensively they've got all the weapons and got a big transfer in Mitchell Tinsley [from Western Kentucky]. Sean's obviously going to have a big year. It's going to be fun to see. I can't wait to watch."

Dotson also favorably compared head coaches James Franklin and Ron Rivera, who encouraged Dotson to skip part of rookie minicamp to attend his Penn State graduation.

"There are a lot of similarities [between Franklin and Rivera]," Dotson said. "Coach Franklin is the same way. If there was an opportunity that we had to change our lives in a moment that we wouldn't be able to do every single day, coach Franklin would be all for it. I'm extremely fortunate to be able to play for two guys like that."

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