INDIANAPOLIS — Parker Washington didn’t end his college career the way he had hoped. The Penn State wide receiver was at the Rose Bowl, celebrating the win over Utah with his teammates. That was fun. But wearing a walking boot wasn’t.

Washington missed the final three games of the season because of an injury he suffered in November. Some thought it might keep him from leaving early for the draft. But that didn’t stop Washington, who is here at the NFL combine.

Washington is still being held back by that injury, though. He won’t run or catch passes in Indianapolis. And he didn’t say if he will at Penn State’s pro day March 24.

“I’m still working through the process,” Washington said on Friday when asked about his health. “I’m just trying to get better every day. It’s been an exciting process, an exciting draft development. I’m excited.”

Washington is in an interesting spot. He’s not a sure-fire first-rounder like Joey Porter Jr., and he’s not a late-round flier, either.

Dane Brugler, lead draft analyst for The Athletic, ranked Washington as the No. 77 overall prospect and the No. 10 receiver. Seventeen wide receivers were selected in the first three rounds of the 2022 draft. If that’s any indication, Washington should hear his name called by the end of Day 2.

But with the injury, it feels like Washington is flying under the radar. His teammate, Mitchell Tinsley, agrees.

“He’s been overlooked,” Tinsley said Friday. “He’s going to be great.”

Washington was great for the Nittany Lions. The 5-foot-10 target recorded 146 catches, 1,920 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons. He had 489 yards and six scores in the covid-shortened 2020 season and followed it up with a career year in 2021, tallying 64 catches, 820 yards and four touchdowns. Washington was less productive last season but still led Penn State with 611 yards and 46 catches.

Perhaps more importantly, Washington had games and moments that showed why teams should look at him as a second- or third-round selection.

Washington said his 35-yard touchdown against Minnesota in which he high pointed the ball was his favorite play of 2022. His 58-yard score against Ohio State, breaking a tackle and taking it the distance, is another one for the highlight reel. That game in particular gave Washington more visibility nationally.

“We definitely wanted to win that game. So it was a disappointment,” Washington said of the loss in which he had 11 catches for 179 yards. “Personally, I just wanted to help the team as much as I could. I felt like I made the plays I was supposed to make.”

Against Ohio State, Washington proved why he’s one of the draft’s top options out of the slot, along with North Carolina’s Josh Downs, Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott and Houston’s Tank Dell. He attributes that area of his game to Taylor Stubblefield.

Stubblefield, Penn State’s former receivers coach who was fired in January, coached Washington for three seasons. Stubblefield was an All-American at Purdue, experience he brought with him and passed on to Washington.

“He was a big slot guy, and I feel like that helped me in my development,” the receiver said. “He brought to my eyes how to understand a defense, to really see what they’re doing, their movements, how they’re operating, what their tendencies are. That was big. Before that, I was just trying to make plays.”

Washington also gave credit to Jahan Dotson, Penn State’s star receiver and an eventual first-round draft pick by the Washington Commanders. When the Texas native arrived as a four-star prospect, Dotson took him under his wing. Now, the two are close friends.

It’s likely Washington and Dotson will have to play against each other in the league. Among the positions the Commanders need to fill, receiver isn’t one of them.

It’s a stronger possibility of Washington being drafted by his older sister’s team. Ashton Washington is a scout with the Bears, who desperately need weapons on offense.

Asked about the idea of being selected by Chicago, Washington smiled. “I told my sister I’m going to just go to work with you if I get that opportunity.”

Washington formally met with the Steelers, Saints, Browns and Bengals at the combine, as of Friday morning. He also will have more opportunities to talk with scouts and coaches at pro day and during follow-up visits.

Washington is excited for what’s ahead the next few weeks, and it isn’t lost on him the road he took at Penn State to get to this point.

“When we first came in that 2020 year, it was a tough time,” Washington recalled. “But I feel like we got closer as a family and we just wanted to build that up through the years. … It was exciting to see everyone’s development growing into who they became. We deserved that Rose Bowl win. And I can’t wait to see what they do next.”

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