UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State football wide receiver Jahan Dotson was selected with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders on Thursday night in Las Vegas.
The selection of Dotson marks the 40th all-time first round pick in Penn State history. The Nittany Lions have had a first round draft pick in back-to-back years (Micah Parsons and Odafe Oweh in 2021) for the first time since 2009-10 (Aaron Maybin in 2009, Jared Odrick in 2010).
Dotson becomes the fourth PSU receiver to ever be drafted in the first round, the first since Bryant Johnson in 2003 (17th overall to the Arizona Cardinals), and the highest since Kenny Jackson in 1984 (4th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles). A total of four wide receivers have been drafted in the James Franklin era, as Dotson becomes the 25th overall PSU receiver to be selected in the draft. He is the first receiver taken since KJ Hamler in 2020 (2nd round, 46th overall to the Denver Broncos).
Dotson is the 24th player selected by Washington and joins former Nittany Lions Troy Apke and Shaka Toney on the roster.
A total of 368 Nittany Lions have been selected all-time in the NFL Draft, which ranks seventh among Division I institutions. Penn State has had 51 draft picks since 2010. A total of 33 Nittany Lions have been drafted since head coach James Franklin's arrival to the program.
"We are so proud of Jahan for being selected by the Washington Commanders," said Penn State head coach James Franklin. "He will be a tremendous addition to the Commanders organization. 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."
"I am incredibly happy for Jahan and this opportunity he is getting with the Washington Commanders," said Penn State wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield. "Jahan has worked his tail off to be in the position he's in right now. He believed in the process, he believed in the program, he trusted Coach Franklin and he trusted myself. He made the most of every single one of his opportunities. Jahan had an opportunity to leave after his third year, but he wanted to come back and play for his brothers and also improve his draft status, which I believe he has done. He will truly be one of the best receivers to ever play at Penn State."
Jahan Dotson, WR, 5-11, 184, Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area
- Recorded 183 career receptions at Penn State for 2,757 yards and 25 touchdowns, including a long reception of 86 yards.
- Owned 38 career receptions of 20 or more yards, six career touchdown catches of 60 or more yards (86 at Maryland, 2021; 75 vs. Illinois, 2020; 70 vs. Illinois, 2020; 68 vs. Iowa, 2020; 60 at Indiana, 2020; 72 vs. Purdue, 2019) and 10 touchdown receptions of 40 or more yards.
- Recorded a catch in final 41 career games.
- Ends career as Penn State's all-time leader in punt return average (17.8).
- Finished career tied for second all-time at Penn State in career receptions and receiving touchdowns, and fourth in receiving yards.
- Completed career as one of 10 Nittany Lions to reach the 2,000 career receiving yards mark.
- Owned 11 career 100-yard receiving games, ranking second all-time at Penn State.
- Is the Penn State single season record holder for punt return average (24.6; 2020).
- In 2021, ranked second at Penn State in a single season in receptions (91), receiving yards (1,182) and receiving touchdowns (12).
- Became the fourth Penn State wide receiver in 2021 (6th instance) to record a 1,000-yard receiving season (1,182).
- Set the Penn State single-game receiving record with 242 yards against Maryland (11/7/21).
- Earned third-team All-America honors in 2021 from the Associated Press.
- Named first-team All-Big Ten in 2021 by the media and second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches
- Was a 2021 Biletnikoff Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist.
A total of 38 lettermen are returning for Penn State in 2022. The Nittany Lions return 12 starters – six on offense, five on defense and one on special teams. PSU will face nine teams who participated in a bowl game during the 2021 campaign.
For more information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and reserving new season tickets for the 2022 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
More than 3,400 new season tickets have already been sold for the 2022 campaign.