The Dallas Cowboys selected Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons with the 12th pick in the NFL Draft, following a trade down from the 10th pick with the Eagles, on Thursday night.
Parsons rose to national prominence as a high-school senior in his native Harrisburg (about an hour and a half drive from where he would end up going to college), starring at both defensive end and running back while rating as the seventh-best prospect in his class, per ESPN. It didn’t take long for the five-star recruit to make an impact, ascending to All-American status as a true sophomore in 2019.
Parsons delivered a tour de force performance in his Penn State swan song, garnering defensive MVP honors on the strength of 14 tackles, two sacks and a pair of forced fumbles (all career-bests) in PSU’s Cotton Bowl victory over 17th-ranked Memphis. After the Big Ten scrapped its fall sports slate amid the COVID pandemic (only to reverse course months later), Parsons hired an agent and declared for the 2021 Draft.
Measurables: 6’3”/246
School: Penn State
2019 stats: 109 tackles (14 for loss), five sacks, four forced fumbles, one recovery
Accolades: Consensus All-American (2019), First-team All-Big Ten (2019), Big Ten Linebacker of the Year (2019), Freshman All-American (2018), Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP (2019)
Strengths: Parsons blazed a 4.39 forty at his recent Penn State Pro Day, a preposterous, bordering on unheard-of time for a player his size (6’3”/246). A monster athlete with elite length and quickness, Parson swarms to the ball like a man possessed, overwhelming would-be blockers with one of the fastest first steps in college football. He hits with authority, as evidenced by the six fumbles he forced during his time in Happy Valley. An expert blitzer with considerable pass-rushing chops, Parsons strikes the fear of god into opposing QBs.
Weaknesses: Parsons got by with his ferocious athleticism in college but his play recognition and overall technique will need to improve at the next level. The 21-year-old is so quick off the line that it actually hurts him in certain areas, occasionally taking himself out of plays by overshooting his mark. Parsons could stand to improve in coverage (no interceptions in his 26 games at Penn State) and will have to assuage coaches of his character concerns after being linked to an alleged hazing incident in 2018.
NFL comparison: Ryan Shazier
Parsons shares plenty of similarities with ex-Steeler Ryan Shazier, a hungry, middle-of-the-field nuisance with speed for days.
What experts are saying
“He’s a good blitzer with an explosive first step and top-end closing speed; he’s clearly got a natural feel for playing on the edge, capable of dipping and ripping past offensive linemen into the pocket.” – Danny Kelly, The Ringer
“His instincts and play recognition need to catch up with his physical gifts in order to play downhill and find the most efficient routes to the football.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
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