Elliot Washington II put on a showcase for ages this winter. He won all six Competitor of the Day honors awarded by cornerbacks coach Terry Smith throughout the annual offseason conditioning gauntlet. It was a feat James Franklin had never seen throughout his 13-year head coaching career.
There’s a starting job on the line. It was a gig Washington attempted to win last offseason before he was ultimately beat out by a pair of transfers, A.J. Harris and Jalen Kimber. Now, with Kimber headed to the NFL, the Nittany Lions’ second starting cornerback spot beside Harris appears to be Washington’s job to lose.
“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,” Franklin said after practice on Tuesday. “You give it to the guy who’s earned it. And Elliot came to work every single day. He just continues to get better.”
The winter can provide coaches with an opportunity to see which players are most serious about improving, and Washington certainly displayed that. But it isn’t until spring practice begins that the progress these winter warriors have made can potentially translate to the field. And, so far, Washington’s dominant winter has translated. He appears ready to take a step forward.
“He’s really taking it to another level. Super happy and proud of him for his offseason. He had a tremendous winter workout session,” Smith said. “This first week of spring ball, he’s been doing really well. He’s running with the ones. He’s stepping into that position the way he should, and he deserves it right now. So he’s working really hard, and he’s delivering on the field, as well.”
Washington generated significant attention during red-zone one-on-ones at a practice viewing session open to the local media on Tuesday. His first opponent was USC transfer wide receiver Kyron Hudson, who nearly made an impressive leaping grab in the left corner of the end zone before the ball was punched out. It was a score-saving pass breakup executed to perfection.
Despite missing two games with an injury and making only one start, Washington led the Nittany Lions with six pass breakups last season. At times, he played like a starter. And the opportunity to officially become one is right in front of Venice, Florida, native.
“I think he’s a guy that has all the talent in the world. … Since he’s been here, I’ve seen him grow, specifically at cornerback every single year from a technique standpoint, and I know he’s gonna have a huge year for us this year,” wide receiver Liam Clifford said. “He’s really gifted, and another guy that pushes the receivers to be their best every day.”
Harris, an All-Big Ten selection in his first season with the Nittany Lions, is only anticipated to continue to separate himself as the team’s top cornerback. But the spot next to him, despite Washington’s offseason push, is still an open competition that includes redshirt junior Audavion Collins and potential starting nickel back Zion Tracy.
It’s a battle that could lead up to the start of the season, like it did last year. But, for now, Washington appears to be in the leading position to claim the role.
“He’s super explosive, maybe the most explosive guy we have on our team, maybe the most horsepower, in terms of speed, on our team,” Franklin said. “He’s a big corner, 190-something pounds, has shown flashes. There’s a lot of excitement in the building, and he’s earned it.”
