CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round (No. 187 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Washington was the first Fighting Illini wide receiver drafted since A.J. Jenkins was a first-round pick in 2012. He is the 257th NFL Draft pick in Illinois history, dating back to 1937.
Washington caught 122 passes for 1,508 yards and four touchdowns during his five-year Illini career. He had a breakout senior season in 2023 with career highs in receptions (49), receiving yards (670) and touchdowns (4), including finishing his career with 218 receiving yards and three touchdowns against Northwestern.
Washington ranked ninth in the Big Ten in receptions (49) during the 2023 regular season. His 589 receiving yards during Big Ten games ranked sixth in the conference and his four receiving touchdowns in Big Ten games ranked ninth.
Washington is the seventh Illini in history to be drafted by Atlanta. He is the first Illini picked by the Falcons since QB Kurt Kittner in 2002.
Washington is the 55th NFL Draft pick in Bret Bielema‘s 15 seasons as a head coach.
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