Penn State Football’s Micah Parsons is widely viewed as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, but Pro Football Focus views the All-American linebacker as one of the premier prospects in any draft class the outlet has evaluated.
PFF released its “All-Era Team,” Wednesday, and Parsons is listed as the selection at linebacker alongside former Alabama Crimson Tide and current Washington Football Team starter Reuben Foster:
"Parsons is the only defensive player in the entire class to crack the list. He is no athletic projection like Isaiah Simmons was last year, but he’s already exceptional between the tackles in a number of areas. Parsons’ 94.9 run-defense grade as a true sophomore in 2019 trailed only one man. That’s the one accompanying him on the list."
Parsons is one of six players from the current draft class to make the cut of top players that PFF has evaluated over the past seven years.
Despite opting out of the Nittany Lions‘ 2021 season due to COVID-19 concerns and to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft, Parsons is expected to be among the first defensive players to hear his name called, perhaps as high as the top-five.
A former five-star recruit at defensive end, Parsons quickly developed into one of the nation’s most dominant and feared inside linebackers.
In two seasons, Parsons produced 191 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and six forced fumbles.
Between Parsons’ ability to quickly develop into a menacing sideline-to-sideline linebacker as well as his versatility as a pass-rusher, it is easy to see why PFF is so bullish on his draft prospects and why he will likely go off the board so early in the 2021 NFL Draft.