Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1276571
"Once [Pry] helped me figure out how to fit in a system and do what I have to do, I think that's when I started to get better and better," Parsons said. "Now I have more understanding of the game and I have a way of finding my way to the ball the right way and fitting in the sys- tem. All positive things going forward with how I've evolved and my under- standing of the game and the defense that we run." The second big aspect of Parsons' de- velopment is less tangible, and also less tested. In previous years, he took his cues from veteran linebackers like Cam Brown and Jan Johnson and didn't feel the need to be a leader, either within the position group or for the team as a whole. But now Brown and Johnson are both pursuing ca- reers in the NFL, and Parsons said he un- derstands that the room, and the 9eld, are in his hands. So while he is con9dent in his physical abilities and his ever-improving mastery of the Will outside linebacker position, the onus of helping to li= teammates to his level is one he has yet to experience. He admits it's a new challenge, a role at which he's still working to become com- fortable. "I'm the guy that people are going to look to," he said. "I've got to be that voice that, early on in my career, I didn't have to [be]. I didn't have to do anything. There was always someone there to do it. So now I'm that guy. "It's always a challenge when you're stepping into a bigger role. It's going to be completely di;erent. I've got to go out- side of my comfort zone a little bit and speak up more and try to be that guy for the younger guys. It's a challenge that that has to happen with Brandon and Lance," Pry said. "I think Charlie Kat- shir is ready to open some eyes and show people he can play linebacker at this level. I think we've got a heck of a com- petition with Jesse [Luketa] and Ellis [Brooks] to see who can take that Mike spot, at least ini- tially. And then we're excited to see what Micah [Parsons] does in year three. So it's got a chance to be a really, really nice group. More than likely the best I've been around as a linebacker guy." Pry has been a linebacker guy for a couple of decades, so that's no small compliment. And the veteran coach also wants his players to be aware of the school's his- tory at this position group. He's told them about some of Linebacker U's greatest players and the standards they set for those who would follow. "We've got some work to do in that area," Pry conceded. Maybe so, but Smith is eager to put in that work. "I know the things that I need to work on and improve," he said. "I will de9nitely make those strides to become a better football player." ■ UPWARD PATH Smith is looking to build on a true freshman season in which he played in all 13 games, making 14 tackles includ- ing two tackles for loss. Photo by Steve Manuel