Georgia TE Darnell Washington declares for 2023 NFL Draft

Georgia tight end Darnell Washington will enter the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:

During his Bulldogs career, Washington caught three touchdown passes and snagged 44 total receptions for 746 yards.
The TE is listed at 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler placed Washington at No. 26 in his 2023 NFL mock draft.

It’s been a Journey #GoDawgs #NationalChampionship
— Darnell Washington (@_Dwfootball11) January 12, 2023

Backstory

A five-star recruit out of Las Vegas, Washington was ranked the No. 1 prospect in Nevada and the No. 23 player in the nation in the 2020 class, per the 247Sports Composite. He garnered 35 offers and ultimately chose the Bulldogs over Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and Miami.

Scouting report

One of the more unique prospects in this draft class, Washington has the size and blocking skills of an offensive tackle but moves with the prowess of a pass-catching tight end. — Brugler

When Washington met fellow Georgia-bound players at camps as a recruit, they assumed he was an offensive lineman. He had to correct them, but essentially Washington was a sixth offensive lineman for Georgia — when he wasn’t also hauling in touchdown passes. He was overshadowed in the pass-catching department by Brock Bowers, but those who watched every Georgia game can attest that overall Washington was almost as valuable.

The way Washington handled his role is also instructive: He didn’t transfer after the 2021 season when it became apparent Bowers was a star. Washington instead carved out his own important role and was often one of the biggest on-field cheerleaders. When Bowers ran downfield for a 75-yard touchdown run early in the season, it was hard to miss Washington as he ran downfield, too, jumping and celebrating. — Emerson