For Penn State's Parker Washington, a 'Gamble' Worth Taking

Four months past his injury, the receiver is working confidently toward the NFL Draft.

Former Penn State receivers Parker Washington and Jahan Dotson have been training this offseason in Arizona, where Dotson has been offering career advice. Among his tips: Believe in yourself. But Washington already knew that.

Four months removed from his season-ending ankle injury, Washington is charging as hard as he can toward the NFL Draft. He's still limited by a rehab schedule (Washington is running again) and isn't sure whether he'll be able to show teams anything prior to the April draft. Washington didn't participate in workouts at the NFL Combine or at Penn State's recent Pro Day.

Still, Washington is convinced he made the right decision.

"At the end of the day, it is a gamble," Washington said at Pro Day in State College. "Even if I came back [to Penn State], it's a gamble. You never know. You've just got to be willing to attack that and put your best foot forward."

Washington sustained the ankle injury prior to Penn State's November game against Rutgers. He missed the final two games and declared for the NFL Draft before the Rose Bowl.

Washington was given a recovery timeline of 4-5 months, a course on which he's tracking.

"I'm at a good place right now, so I'm starting to do pretty much everything," he said. "... I'm real close. Into April, I feel like I'll be good."

But until he can test for teams, Washington's film must speak for his physical traits. He has plenty of strong footage, notably last season's Ohio State game, when Washington caught 11 passes for 179 yards (both career highs). That included a 58-yard touchdown reception, a highlight of his season.

Washington also has demonstrated his skill as a punt-returner, which will add value to his draft status. NFL Draft Bible ranks Washington 13th on the list receivers' list, even after the injury. The site grades Washington as a sixth-rounder.

"When looking at Washington, he is going to be a prospect coaches are much higher on than scouts, as he is a really smart player with great hands but he lacks size and separation ability," according to NFL Draft Bible's scouting report.

Washington said he weighed the injury's potential effect on his draft status but was comfortable running rehab and the draft process simultaneously. If he's able to work out for teams in April, he will. Otherwise, Washington wants to be ready for whatever training camp he begins his NFL career.

"We knew it was going to be a process," Washington said. "I'm always about the process and the small details, so when it came to making that decision, I was willing to put that forth and just be ready to attack it.

"You've got to be confident. I am confident in my abilities."

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.