By Ricky Eisenbart, PSO Director NFL Scouting
Apr 19, 2021

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here 

Pos: LB

Hometown: Harrisburg, PA

School: Penn State

Class: Redshirt Junior

DOB: 5/26/1999

Height: 6’3″ (87%) | Weight: 246 lbs (82%)

Hands: 11” (99%) | Arms: 31.5” (27%)

Bench: 19 reps (33%) | 40-YD: 4.39s (99%)

  • 2019 Consensus All-American, 1st-Team All-Big Ten, PFF’s #1 rated LB (91.6)
  • 1st freshman to ever lead Penn St in tackles despite only 1 GS
  • Played DE and RB in High School; 27 RUSH TD as a Senior
  • 5-star HS recruit that also played varsity basketball
  • Opted out of 2020 season after 26 career games

Pros

  • Terrific frame for a NFL LB — 6’3″, 246 lbs
  • Speed is at good as it gets — 4.39s 40-YD
  • Acceleration is elite to burst through holes
  • Twitchy and explosive (34″ vertical, 126″ broad)
  • Loose, flexible hips (6.94s 3-cone — 79th %tile)
  • Big hands (11″) to control opponent’s chest plate
 

Cons

  • Will benefit from an NFL strength program (19 bench reps)
  • Short arms (31.5″) may impact shed ability, coverage

 

Grade: A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k741ceB7Lr4&t=21s

Pros

  • Excellent downhill attacker that beats blockers to the POA
  • Consistently rips at ball carriers to create turnovers
  • Great at man coverage for a LB
  • Quality open-field tackler — keeps eyes on the target
  • Burst and explosion really show up when playing forward
  • Incredibly dynamic and versatile blitzer
  • Very instinctual despite his inexperience

 

Cons

  • Processing will need more development
  • Not the most refined playmaker in coverage

 

Grade: A

 

Pros

  • Consensus All-American, 1st-Team All-B10 (2019), Freshman All-American (2018)
  • Monstrous jump from 2018 (77.3) to 2019 (91.6, top-rated LB)
  • Only missed 5.8% of tackle attempts (11 total MTs)
  • Ridiculous 94.8 run-defense, 86.8 pass-rush grades
  • 38 run-stops, 14 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 FF
  • Average tackle depth of just 2.1 yards in 2019
  • Slight experience in the slot (121 snaps) and at EDGE (82 snaps)

 

Cons

  • Opted out of 2020 season after 26 career games
  • Subpar 68.5 PFF coverage grade (28/43, 89.3 passer rating allowed)
  • Only 1 season of ELITE production

 

Grade: A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpF7k-Pjbq4

Pros

  • Prototypical blend of size and athletic ability
  • Explosive gap-shooter that knives his way through the LOS
  • 3-down potential — talented with plenty of room to grow in coverage
  • Elite in just his 2nd season manning the 2nd level
  • Recruited as a pass-rusher — very impactful blitzer
  • PSU defense crumbled without his presence

 

Cons

  • Relatively inexperienced in the middle of a defense
  • Read-and-react skills will be a work in progress
  • Opted out after 2 seasons (26 career games)
  • Extremely concerning off-field incidents

 

Grade: B+

A freak athlete with a prototypical build for the position, Micah Parsons was a highly-recruited EDGE but soon transitioned to off-ball LB at Penn State where he thrived almost instantly. After collecting 82 tackles in 13 games during a stellar freshman year, Parsons turned in a dominant sophomore campaign with 109 tackles, 14 TFL, and 5 sacks.

A consensus 1st-Team All-American and PFF’s top-graded LB (91.6), he decided to opt out of the 2020 season with 26 games under his belt. While he certainly would have benefitted from the extra development, Parsons displayed some truly special traits in his two years. Incredibly explosive in downhill pursuit, his background as an edge rusher flashes time and again whether he’s blitzing or simply reacting to the ball.

Though he’ll need some time before manning the MIKE spot, Parsons can certainly make an immediate impact as a stacked LB. He’s best when attacking and flowing forward, but there’s room for development when making flat-footed reads. Lacking refinement in coverage as well, Parsons’ athleticism, growth, and attacking play style are more than enough for a team to fall in love with as their quarterback of the defense for a decade plus.

Pro Comp: LB Jaylon Smith (Dallas Cowboys)

Projected Round: Mid-1st Round

Prime Destinations: CAR, DET, DEN, NYG, LV, WAS

OVERALL Grade: A

 

 

 

 

Share this Micah Parsons scouting report with friends and follow for more great sports content!