Casey Washington Bio
Casey Washington (born March 6, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver who plays in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, Washington entered the league as a developmental pass catcher and has continued to develop within the Falcons’ offensive system.
Early Life and Background
Casey Washington was born on March 6, 2001, and grew up in Round Rock, Texas. He is the son of a former football player who suited up for the Kansas State Wildcats, which gave him an early appreciation for the sport and a clear sense of the work required to compete at a high level. Round Rock, a growing community north of Austin, provided a familiar football environment where high school programs draw strong local support.
Washington attended Pflugerville High School, where he lined up at wide receiver and built a reputation as a reliable target. As a senior, he totaled 42 receptions for 565 yards and five touchdowns, finishing his final season as a steady contributor in the passing game. His high school performance earned him a three-star recruit rating, and he chose to commit to the Illinois Fighting Illini to continue his football career at the college level.
Path to American Football
Casey Washington arrived at the University of Illinois in 2019 and wasted little time contributing. As a true freshman, he appeared in 10 games, including five starts, and posted 11 receptions for 132 yards. The following year, in 2020, he recorded 10 catches for 106 yards while continuing to adjust to the speed and physicality of Big Ten competition.
After two seasons with the Fighting Illini, Washington entered the NCAA transfer portal and committed to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 2021. During spring practice, however, he reconsidered the move and returned to Illinois, where an NCAA eligibility waiver allowed him to resume his career with the Fighting Illini. He finished the 2021 season with 21 catches for 294 yards and made one of the most memorable plays of his college career, catching the game-winning two-point conversion in a 20–18 nine-overtime win over the Penn State Nittany Lions, a contest that set the record for the most overtimes in college football history. Washington’s gloves from that game were placed on display in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Casey Washington Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Washington’s first three college seasons were about development and persistence. He appeared in 10 games as a freshman in 2019, then added 10 catches in a 2020 season shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, before rebounding with 21 receptions in 2021. His game-winning catch against Penn State became the defining moment of his early years at Illinois.
Illinois Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In 2022, Washington played 13 games for the Fighting Illini, drawing three starts, and finished with 31 receptions for 306 yards. He showed consistency as a possession receiver and continued to earn the trust of his quarterbacks, building on the momentum from his 2021 overtime heroics.
Washington produced his most productive college season as a senior in 2023, recording 49 catches for 670 yards and four touchdowns. Over the course of his collegiate career, he appeared in 55 games and totaled 122 receptions for 1,508 yards and four touchdowns, finishing as one of the more experienced pass catchers in the Big Ten. His strong senior campaign, combined with his work at the East–West Shrine Bowl, helped position him for the 2024 NFL draft.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024–Present)
At his pro day, Washington impressed scouts with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, and the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He signed with the team and began his professional career working primarily as a depth receiver and special teams contributor.
Washington recorded his first NFL reception on October 20, hauling in a 14-yard pass from Michael Penix Jr. in the fourth quarter of a Falcons loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Through the 2025 season, he had appeared in games for Atlanta and posted 7 receptions for 108 receiving yards while continuing to carve out a role within the offense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Washington plays a possession-style role at wide receiver, relying on sharp route running, dependable hands, and physicality at the catch point. His experience across 55 college games has translated into a polished understanding of leverage and timing, which has allowed him to contribute on special teams while developing as a pass catcher at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Washington’s signature moment remains his game-winning two-point conversion in the nine-overtime thriller against Penn State, a play that earned a place in the College Football Hall of Fame. He has also logged his first NFL reception with the Falcons and represented Illinois at the East–West Shrine Bowl, milestones that mark his transition from a developmental prospect to an active professional.
Casey Washington Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Washington comes from a football family. His father played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, providing an early connection to the sport and a model of the dedication required to compete at a high level. That background helped shape Casey’s path from youth football in Round Rock to the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Casey’s second year with the Atlanta Falcons and his first full opportunity to establish himself within the team’s receiver rotation. He entered the year looking to build on his late-2024 debut and the experience gained during his rookie campaign, focusing on consistency in practice and contributions on special teams.
Through the early portion of the 2025 season, Washington had recorded 7 receptions for 108 receiving yards, providing the Falcons with a dependable depth option behind their top pass catchers. His role within the offense continued to grow as he developed chemistry with the quarterback room and adjusted to the pace of an NFL schedule.
Looking ahead, Washington remains focused on expanding his snap count, contributing on special teams, and turning his limited targets into consistent production. With a full offseason in Atlanta’s system behind him, his outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond centers on becoming a reliable complementary piece in the Falcons’ passing attack.