Micah Parsons will not be part of the B1G opt-in party. During a Zoom call on Wednesday afternoon, Franklin said the star linebacker will not be suiting up for Penn State this season.

“We’re actually in a really good place,” Franklin said. “We had great conversation with Micah and both his mom and dad. I think there was a legitimate possibility for that to happen. But as we continued to talk, the timing of it made it challenging.

“That won’t be happening. We understand the decision. Just like we were on the front end, we’re supportive of the decision.”

Parsons is a projected early first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. In Pro Football Focus’s latest four-round mock draft, the Penn State linebacker is projected to be the No. 3 pick, even without playing another snap with the Nittany Lions.

Since the B1G announced the decision to reinstate the fall football season in 2020, several players have opted to return despite previously declaring for the NFL Draft. Names like Rondale Moore (Purdue), Rashod Bateman (Minnesota), Jalen Mayfield (Michigan), Shaun Wade (Ohio State) and Wyatt Davis (Ohio State) have all reversed course.

But Parsons will start training for the NFL after two seasons at Penn State.

Parsons leaves Penn State with 192 tackles, 19 stops for loss, 6.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 5 pass break-ups.