James Franklin Confirms Micah Parsons Will Not Return to Penn State Football

In his press conference today, James Franklin confirmed a couple of things: The return of padded practices, and that Micah Parsons will not opt back in and suit up for the Nittany Lions in 2020.

Ever since the Big Ten announced the return of Fall football a couple weeks ago, the Penn State portion of the Internet’s eyes all turned towards Parsons and whether he would follow suit with other fellow Big Ten studs such as Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman or Purdue’s Rondale Moore, both who have since opted back in and will play one final year for their respective schools.

Alas, Micah, who had signed with an agency back in August, has decided to remain opted out. He will now focus on earning his bachelor’s degree in December while continuing to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft, where the latest projection from CBS Sports has him being the sixth pick by the Carolina Panthers.

I’d like to think I speak for every PSU fan in being sad about not seeing Micah suit up for one final season in Happy Valley, but wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him tear it up in the pros for years to come.