Blue White Illustrated

111 E. Beaver Ave s State College, PA 16801 www.The-Phyrst.com 814.234.4406 137 Elmwood St. s State College, PA 16801 www.HappyValleyBeer.com Wood-fire Grill 12 Beers on Tap 200 Year Old Barn 821 Cricklewood Dr. s Toftrees, State College www.AmericanAleHouse.net 814.237.9701 s Piano Bar s Sommelier 814.238.1406 814.234.7700 s 1611 Atherton St. s State College 814.941.7788 s Plank Rd. Exit s Altoona www.ChampsSportsGrill.net s Best Game Bar s Large Groups Welcome c lc e W We s p u o r G e g r a L s a e B m a st G e B s S n S h 1 A 1 6 1 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 me co r a l l C S r G s rt o p S s p m a h C . www s t i x . E d k R n a l P s 8 8 7 7 1. 4 9 . 4 1 8 S s . t n S o t r e h t 1 A 1 6 1 s 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 t e n . l l i r na o o t l A e g e l l o C e at t S 111 E. Beaver Ave s State College, PA 16801 www.The-Phyrst.com 814.234.4406 137 Elmwood St. s State College, PA 16801 www.HappyValleyBeer.com Wood-fire Grill 12 Beers on Tap 200 Year Old Barn 821 Cricklewood Dr. s Toftrees, State College www.AmericanAleHouse.net 814.237.9701 s Piano Bar s Sommelier 814.238.1406 814.234.7700 s 1611 Atherton St. s State College 814.941.7788 s Plank Rd. Exit s Altoona www.ChampsSportsGrill.net s Best Game Bar s Large Groups Welcome c lc e W We s p u o r G e g r a L s a e B m a st G e B s S n S h 1 A 1 6 1 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 me co r a l l C S r G s rt o p S s p m a h C . www s t i x . E d k R n a l P s 8 8 7 7 1. 4 9 . 4 1 8 S s . t n S o t r e h t 1 A 1 6 1 s 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 t e n . l l i r na o o t l A e g e l l o C e at t S ously met Parsons during his recruit- ment, and again when the linebacker prospect first arrived on campus. Sanderson texted him to see if it was a pocket dial. It wasn't. Parsons called back immediately. "He was like, 'Coach, I'm ready. I want to come out for the team,' " Sanderson said. "I'm like, 'You need to go talk to Coach Franklin about that. You're a five- star recruit. I don't think he wants you to be wrestling.' "He said, 'I've got Coach Franklin right here. He's sitting next to me. You're on speaker phone.' " That was the end of any talks until the subject was brought up again in recent media settings. Listed at 240 pounds on the football roster, Parsons' hypothetical weight class would be 285. Whether or not he would be overmatched in the Big Ten, which is easily the best conference in college wrestling, is beside the point. The returning national champion Nit- tany Lions have two formidable heavy- weights who have been around the program for a long time, including sen- ior All-American Nick Nevills. There are other 285-pounders in the pipeline. The depth there makes it unlikely that Par- sons will ever shed the football pads to wear a Penn State singlet. The time sac- rifice simply wouldn't be worthwhile, like it arguably was for Johnson as a freshman, but for a moment it was at least fun to consider the possibilities, especially when witnessing the athletic feats of which Parsons is capable. "I know he wrestled through eighth grade and I heard he was a really good wrestler," Sanderson said. "He's a phe- nomenal athlete, [but] I think he likes to joke around and play games. That's kind of his personality." While he won't be competing on a wrestling mat anytime soon, it seems pretty clear Parsons' role on the football field will evolve over time. Once considered the best high school defensive end in the country, a prospect with the athletic versatility to also play running back and tight end for Harris- burg (Pa.) High, Parsons was moved to linebacker upon enrolling at Penn State in January. He's played every game on special teams and as a backup to starter Koa Farmer this season. In the 22-10 victory over the Badgers, though, Par- sons played the majority of the snaps and was productive throughout. Going forward, coaches are discover- ing more ways to get him involved. Mul- tiple options are on the table. Franklin said recently that he "doesn't think there's any question that Micah could play D-end." Parsons often asks to play offense, too. If any of those scenarios are to occur, it will only be after Parsons gets fully ac- climated to his primary defensive re- sponsibilities. "As Micah continues to grow and get more confidence and Brent [Pry] gains more confidence as well, I think there are a lot of ways we can use him," Franklin said. "I think we can use him as a linebacker. I think we can get him into situations from personnel packages where we're using him to blitz the quar- terback and rush the quarterback. So in a lot of ways, you're able to take advan- tage of all his skills. But that will be a constant conversation over the next number of years here." Parsons' interest in wrestling will probably be brought up again as well, no matter how serious he may be about try- ing a different sport. Even if it might seem farfetched to some – and it should – he is someone who believes he can compete with any- one, whether it's on the mat, at line- backer, defensive end or even with the ball in his hands. "He says it kidding around, but he's deadly serious," Franklin said. "We have a lot of fun with him, but right now, we're pretty pleased with how he's han- dled himself in the classroom and how he's growing as a linebacker and how he's embracing all the aspects of our program. But it's one day at a time. It's one step at a time." One position at a time, and one sport at a time, too. So far on the football field, though, the results have been encourag- ing. ■

• Cover