Ad Disclosure
NFL Draft analyst believes Micah Parsons has opportunity to be Top 5 player in college football
Published:
Micah Parsons has already been talked about as one of the top returning players in college football for the 2020 season. The Penn State linebacker is projected to be a top 10 pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
One NFL Draft analyst believes Parsons could solidify himself as one of the five best players in the sport during the upcoming season.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah scouted the rising junior linebacker on Friday, talking about what he likes most about Parsons. There were an awful lot of positives coming from Jeremiah.
“There is plenty to like about Parsons’ game,” Jeremiah said. “First of all, he has a big, athletic build for the position. His play speed is excellent and he has the versatility to play off the ball or on the edge.
“As an inside linebacker, he possesses a trait that is rare in today’s game: he can physically take on blocks. He attacks guards and can escape to make plays after a collision. … Parsons also excels against the pass. He can cover backs and tight ends all over the field. He has the vision and instincts to make plays in zone coverage. He’s a dynamic blitzer from the middle or off the edge. He has phenomenal timing and burst. His overall instincts are top notch.”
Parsons was one of the B1G’s top tacklers last year, piling up 109 stops in 13 contests in 2019. He also had 14 tackles for loss, five sacks, five pass break-ups and forced four fumbles.
Many expect Parsons to be the top linebacker in the B1G and potentially the country during the 2020 season. Jeremiah really likes the ceiling that Parsons has heading into the 2021 draft.
“If Parsons can stay healthy and continue to develop, he will emerge as one of the top five players in the country,” Jeremiah said.
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