National Football Foundation

The second NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Appalachian State University’s storied football program, wide receiver Tony Washington has established himself as the Mountaineers’ most prominent big-play threat while distinguishing himself as a standout in the classroom as well. He played for College Football Hall of Fame coach Jerry Moore. 

A 2012 CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District selection and 2012 FCS Academic All-Star, Washington claimed recognition as the 2012-13 ASU Most Outstanding Architectural Design Student while winning the architectural design department’s portfolio competition. Washington has earned a 3.80 GPA, and he twice been named an Academic All-Southern Conference honoree.

The top kick-returner in Appalachian State history, Washington boasts the highest career kick-return average in school history (26.5 ypr), and he returned the second-longest kickoff return in ASU annals (99 yards). The 2012 Second Team All-SoCon performer and team captain currently ranks in the top five of numerous conference standings, placing second in receiving yards per game (73.6), third in receptions per game (5.4), fourth in both kick return average (19.7 ypr) and all-purpose yards (127.2). Washington has caught 118 passes for 1,487 yards and seven touchdowns, and he has returned 43 kicks for 1,009 yards and one touchdown in his career.

Hailing from High Point, N.C., Washington has participated in the Boone Celebrity Serve initiative and in the Watauga County Schools community service projects. He has volunteered for the Special Olympics, and he has helped raise money for the March of Dimes. Washington was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft and is currently a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.