Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson was drafted No. 16 overall by the Washington Commanders on Thursday night during the first round of the NFL Draft.
Dotson is the first Nittany Lion off the board during this year’s draft and the first Penn State receiver go in the first round since Bryant Johnson went at No. 17 in 1993. Dotson joins elite company as the highest drafted Penn State receiver since Kenny Jackson went No. 4 overall in 1984.
He will join former Penn State players Shaka Toney and Troy Apke in the nation’s capital with Carson Wentz likely set to quarterback the Commanders during the upcoming season.
Dotson finished his four-year career at Penn State among the best receivers in Nittany Lion history. He is tied for second all-time at in career receptions with 183 and receiving touchdowns with 25, and is fourth in receiving yards with 2,757. His 11 career 100-yard receiving games also are second all-time.
A 2021 All-Big Ten first-team selection and third-team All-American, his 242 yards against Maryland in November are a program record for receiving yards in a game.
“He will be a tremendous addition to the Commanders organization,” Penn State coach James Franklin said in a statement. “Jahan has an intense, laser-like focus on greatness and a competitive edge that will serve him well at the next level. His quickness, sure hands and route running ability will make him a dangerous and explosive threat in the NFL.
“Jahan is a perfect example of what we want our program to be all about. As impressive as his accomplishments were at Penn State on the field, Jahan’s thoughtfulness and character have always impressed me the most. We are very appreciative of everything Jahan has done to represent our program the right way, and I wish him nothing but the best in his NFL career.”
The 5-foot-11, 184-pound Dotson is the first Penn State receiver drafted since KJ Hamler was selected in the second round by the Denver Broncos in 2020. Hamler is currently recovering from an ACL injured suffered last year.
Defensive end Arnold Ebiketie is likely the next Nittany Lion set to be taken off the board with safety Jaquan Brisker not far behind.
