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Micah Parsons provides reason to believe in James Franklin’s vision for Penn State
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Micah Parsons had no trouble understanding what was being said. After a one-point loss to Ohio State in front of a record crowd at Beaver Stadium, James Franklin laid out his expectations for the program and delivered a crystal clear message.
Immediately following the 27-26 defeat, it’s second-straight one-point loss to the Buckeyes, a frustrated and agitated Franklin harped on one point in his postgame press conference: Penn State was a great program and Ohio State was an elite program. He vowed to get the Nittany Lions to that next level, hammering away at the point like a carpenter taking whacks at a stubborn nail.
“The reality is that we’ve gone from an average football team to a good football team to a great football team and we’ve worked really hard to do those things. But we’re not an elite football team yet,” Franklin said after the game. “Right now, we’re comfortable being great. And I’m going to make sure that everybody in our program, including myself, is very uncomfortable, because you only grow in life when you’re uncomfortable.
“We have gotten comfortable being great. We will no longer be comfortable being great.”
Fast forward seven months and rising sophomore Micah Parsons is on a conference call, talking about the same subject. The language is a little bit different coming from the linebacker, but the message is the same.
Parsons wants Penn State back in the hunt for B1G titles and national championships. No, actually, he expects it. And he expects it sooner rather than later.
“People sleep on us, but this is the fastest our defense has ever been, we’re moving good, we’re healthy, and I think Penn State is back,” Parsons said Tuesday, according to Greg Pickel of PennLive.com.
“We have so much speed, young guys, and juice that in the next two years you’re going to definitely see us in the national playoffs, if not this year. I think it’s going to get scary for the Big Ten…I think we’re going to really surprise people this year.”
Last year wasn’t the kind of season many elite programs endure. Penn State finished the season with a 9-4 record, losing all three matchups to the top-tier of the B1G East: Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. The Nittany Lions closed the campaign with a disappointing 27-24 loss to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl.
After recording 10 wins in each of the previous two seasons and winning a conference title in 2016, last season was a step backward for a program hoping to make a leap forward. Things didn’t get much better in the offseason, either. Over a dozen players entered their names in the NCAA transfer portal and the top talent on the roster declared for the NFL Draft.
Over the last eight months or so, there’s been a plethora of reasons to believe Penn State may have reached its peak under Franklin, and that his postgame promise after the Ohio State loss was nothing more than words coming from an emotional coach following an emotional game.
Then, Parsons speaks, and it seems pretty clear that Franklin’s message has gotten through to one of the most talented defensive players on the roster. Now, the leading tackler (83) from last year’s squad is becoming one of the more influential voices in State College, even as a to-be sophomore.
“I tell [recruits], this isn’t the same Penn State it was five, six years ago,” Parsons said. “We’re here to win championships,” Parsons said. “It’s not about the stars. It’s about who can play football. I think we have a great chance of being great. Go to a school because you love it and want to bring championships here. That’s what I’m telling [recruits] and what I’m believing.”
It takes more than words to elevate a program to an elite level — Franklin would tell you it’s all about doing the little things. But Parsons focus on restoring the glory in Penn State football and setting the goal at national championship or bust is evidence that players are buying what Franklin is selling — even if the head coach acting like a self-proclaimed “psychopath.”
Considering the exodus that transpired in Happy Valley in the weeks and months after the season concluded, it’s easy to understand why Franklin’s methods might be questioned.
Parsons is all in, though. One of the team’s highest-rated prospects and most talented players is now using his voice to spread Franklin’s message, even if he’s using different terminology. It’s one of those little things that helps a great program make that leap to elite status.
Putting the program back on the map was the whole reason Parsons decided to commit in the first place. Like Franklin, Parsons wants Penn State back in the national spotlight immediately.
“When I committed early, I wanted to bring Penn State back,” Parsons said, “and me and the team are going to do that this year.”
Actually, he doesn’t want to put Penn State back this year, he expects it.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB