Casey Washington

Early life

The son of a former football player for the Kansas State Wildcats, Washington was born on March 6, 2001, and grew up in Round Rock, Texas. He attended Pflugerville High School where he played football as a wide receiver and totaled 42 receptions for 565 yards and five touchdowns as a senior. He was ranked a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

College career

Washington appeared in 10 games, five as a starter, as a true freshman at Illinois in 2019, posting 11 receptions for 132 yards. He then had 10 catches for 106 yards in 2020. He entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 2021, but had second thoughts during spring practice and re-entered the transfer portal, returning to Illinois and being granted an eligibility waiver by the NCAA. He ended the 2021 season with 21 catches for 294 yards. During the season, he caught the game-winning two-point conversion in the team's 20–18 nine-overtime win over the Penn State Nittany Lions, which set a record for most overtimes; Washington's gloves from the game were put on display in the College Football Hall of Fame.

In 2022, Washington played 13 games, three as a starter, and had 31 catches for 306 yards. He had his best year as a senior in 2023, recording 49 catches for 670 yards and four touchdowns. He ended his collegiate career having appeared in 55 games while totaling 122 receptions for 1,508 yards and four touchdowns. He was invited to the East–West Shrine Bowl.