Redshirt Report: Parsons Continues to Improve at Linebacker

Redshirt Burned/Green (7)

K Rafael Checa

Checa had nine kickoff opportunities against Iowa and had five touchbacks. The Maryland native continues to be consistent on his kicks and is keeping returners from running it out over 50 percent of the time with 33 touchbacks on 60 kickoffs.

TE Pat Freiermuth

In the words of Neil Diamond, “SO GOOD! SO GOOD!”. Freiermuth continues to be one of the best tight ends in the Big Ten and potentially even the country as he had another reception and touchdown against Iowa. The Massachusetts native now has receptions in seven straight games and touchdowns in four of his last five.

LB Jesse Luketa

Luketa recorded a solo tackle against the Hawkeyes bringing his total on the season up to six.

LB Micah Parsons

I believe there is an argument to be made that Parsons is the best linebacker Penn State currently has on the roster, and that’s a testament to the hard work that he’s put in. Despite making the transition to linebacker, Parsons has still become an impact player for the Penn State defense and now leads the team in tackles after recording 7 stops against Iowa. Each week, Parsons is becoming more comfortable and improving at the position, which should scare opposing offenses.

K Jake Pinegar

It seems as though Pinegar may have finally turned a corner as the Iowa native had a career day against his state’s top program. Pinegar, who failed to make a kick from 40-plus through the first seven games, made three against Iowa including a 49-yarder. What a tremendous day for the freshman.

DT PJ Mustipher

Mustipher had a quiet day against Iowa and didn’t see the field all that much. However, the future is still bright for the former four-star who should make great strides going into next season.

RB Ricky Slade

Slade has already appeared in five games this season, meaning there’s no going back now in terms of his redshirt. That being said, he has missed both of the last two games with an undisclosed injury. He’s also now appeared in just one of the Lions last four games.

Yellow (4)

WR Jahan Dotson

At this point, Dotson will burn his redshirt this season as he’s now played in three games for the Nittany Lions. As the receiving corps has struggled, Dotson has seen playing time the last two weeks and will surely see more going forward. He had two receptions for 21 yards against the Hawkeyes, including a pivotal catch on fourth down in the first half.

DE Jayson Oweh/DE Nick Tarburton

I won’t lie, I have no idea what the plan is with Oweh and Tarburton. But at this point, it seems likely that both players end up redshirting this season barring the injury bug biting the defensive line.

WR Justin Shorter

Shorter is still waiting to see his first action on the field since the Kent State game but according to Franklin, the former top-rated wide receiver is starting to make strides in practice leaving us to only hope that we may see the New Jersey native sooner or later. My best guess is that we see him either the last three weeks of the regular season or the final two weeks of the regular season plus the bowl game.

Red (4)

OT Rasheed Walker

Walker will probably not see the field again this season unless the offensive line really begins to go downhill in the last month of the season.

TE Zack Kuntz

Kuntz may not see the field again this season, but I wouldn’t rule out appearances against Rutgers or Maryland. Either way, the future is bright for Camp Hill, Pennsylvania native.

WR Daniel George

After appearing in the Nittany Lions win at Indiana, Daniel George did not see the field against Iowa. George may play in four games, but we’ll see what the coaches do from that point forward.

CB Trent Gordon

Gordon appeared in just one game this season (Kent State) and hasn’t seen the field since. With the secondary rather healthy, chances are the Texas native won’t see the field again in 2018.

The Real Reds (7)

These remaining seven players have not seen playing time this season, and it appears doubtful that they’ll see the field at all in 2018 barring injury in the final few weeks.

QB Will Levis

OG Bryce Effner

OG Juice Scruggs

DT Aeneas Hawkins

DT Judge Culpepper

LB Charlie Katshir

S Isaiah Humphries