Micah Parsons named First-Team All-American

Penn State sophomore linebacker Micah Parsons has been named an Associated Press First Team All-American.

In only his second season as a linebacker after being converted from a defensive end out of high school, Parsons was by far Penn State’s best player on either side of the ball. The Harrisburg (Pa.) native totaled 95 tackles including 45 solo tackles over the course of the 2019 regular season. The former five-star also collected three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

After a solid start during which he recorded 31 tackles over the Nittany Lions first six games, Parsons went off in the second half of the season. Over the last six games, he had five 10-plus tackle performances including a season-high 14 tackles against Michigan.

With an upcoming bowl game on January 28 against Memphis, Parsons will have the opportunity to achieve his first 100-plus tackle season. If he records five tackles or more, Parsons will be the first Nittany Lion defender since 2016 (Marcus Allen, 110) to do so. He will also become the 13th Penn State defender since 2000 to record 100 or more tackles.