While Penn State is gearing up for the Pinstripe Bowl, a handful of former Nittany Lions made waves in the NFL over the weekend. Week 16 delivered standout performances from several Penn State alumni, with touchdowns, turnovers, and personal milestones all part of the mix as the regular season winds down.
Let’s take a closer look at how some of the program’s NFL representatives showed out.
Saquon Barkley | RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley looked every bit like the game-changer the Eagles needed in their 29-18 win over the Commanders. The former No. 2 overall pick turned 21 carries into 132 yards and a touchdown, putting together one of his most efficient outings of the season.
His 6.3 yards per carry marked his best average this year in games where he’s had 20 or more touches. And while that 48-yard burst late in the fourth quarter didn’t find the end zone, it was a tone-setter-flipping field position and helping Philly put the game on ice.
The touchdown was Barkley’s seventh on the ground this season and extended his scoring streak to three straight games. He’s now over 1,000 rushing yards on the year-1,072 to be exact-marking the fifth time in his career he’s hit that milestone. It’s a testament to his resilience and consistent production, even in a crowded backfield and a season full of ups and downs for the Eagles.
Parker Washington | WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Parker Washington picked the perfect time to have a breakout game.
In Jacksonville’s 34-20 win over Denver, the second-year wideout exploded for six catches, 145 yards, and a touchdown-easily the best game of his young career. Washington was targeted 10 times and made the most of his opportunities, including a key score late in the first quarter to get the Jaguars on the board.
This was his first 100-yard game of the season and just the second of his career, with the other coming in 2024 against the Texans. But what’s more impressive is how he’s evolved into a reliable target. With 45 catches, 645 yards, and four touchdowns on the year, he’s already set new career highs across the board.
Washington’s development has been one of the more underrated storylines in Jacksonville’s offense, and Sunday’s performance might just be a sign of what’s to come.
Brenton Strange | TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Washington wasn’t the only former Nittany Lion making noise in the Jaguars’ win. Tight end Brenton Strange found the end zone as well, hauling in a 3-yard touchdown late in the second quarter to give Jacksonville a 14-10 lead.
That score was Strange’s second of the season, tying his career high with two games still to go. He finished the day with five catches for 39 yards, pushing his season total to 434 yards-surpassing his previous best of 411 from last year.
Strange is also closing in on another personal milestone. With 37 receptions so far, he’s just three shy of matching his single-season high of 40. As Jacksonville continues its playoff push, Strange is proving to be a dependable option in the passing game, especially in the red zone.
Ji’Ayir Brown | S, San Francisco 49ers
Ji’Ayir Brown made sure his presence was felt early in the 49ers’ 48-27 win over the Colts.
The second-year safety forced a fumble in the first quarter, marking the sixth turnover he’s helped generate in his NFL career-and his first forced fumble. Known for his physicality and nose for the ball, Brown added nine tackles to his stat line, tying for the team lead on the night.
With 64 total tackles this season, he’s now within striking distance of his career high of 77 from last year. And with two games left on the schedule, don’t be surprised if he sets a new personal best before the regular season wraps.
Final Word
From Barkley’s explosive ground game to Washington’s breakout through the air, and from Strange’s red-zone reliability to Brown’s defensive impact, former Penn Staters made their presence known across the NFL in Week 16. As the regular season heads into its final stretch, these Nittany Lions are not just contributing-they’re thriving.