Posted this in the video thread, but this is Dane Brugler's write up from the Athletic.
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
PRO DAY 6031 246 31 1/2 11 78 7/8 4.36 2.58 1.59 34 10’6” 4.40 6.96 19
STRENGTHS: Remarkable size/speed/strength athlete…outstanding change-of-direction and pursuit skills to chase or quickly recorrect his path…easily outpaces
runners to the sideline and cuts off outside lanes…twitched-up and skillfully regains his balance in a blink…dynamic downhill player with his timing and burst through
gaps…excellent backfield vision to key, diagnose and fill…well-strapped with the power to work off climbing blockers…strong hands and grasp to finish tackles once he
connects…physical at contact and knocks the ball free (had six forced fumbles in two seasons)…competes with energy and doesn’t get bored…promising in coverage
with the open-field athleticism to cover up tight ends and running backs man-to-man…above-average production as he led Penn State in tackles in both of his
seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Zeroes in on the ball and needs to widen his vision…late to locate side-angled blocks when mirroring…hand placement and take-on technique are a
work in progress versus blockers…finds himself out of position when working around blocks…can be muscled off the top of routes…needs to tighten his coverage
angles with improved anticipation versus the pass…needs to finish interceptions when he gets his hands on the football…maturity concerns have been attached to
him in high school and college, although Penn State coaches have stuck up for him (Penn State head coach James Franklin: “99.9% of the time, he’s been
good.”)…missed one start as a sophomore with a “behavioral” issue (November 2019)…only one season as a full-time starter.
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Penn State, Parsons lined up at weakside linebacker in defensive coordinator Brent Pry’s 4-3 base scheme. As a defensive end in
high school, he changed positions when he arrived in State College, which makes his production and film that much more impressive (Franklin: “The scary part about
him is he hasn’t even scratched the surface.”). Parsons is an excellent ball hunter because of his vision and agility near the line of scrimmage, also displaying
exceptional sideline range. He needs to improve his maturity (on and off the field), spacing and anticipation in coverage, but the athleticism and budding awareness
are there. Overall, Parsons is an impressive size/speed/strength athlete with the reaction to movement and combative mentality to develop into a cornerstone
defender and three-down linebacker for an NFL team. He projects as one of the best talents in the draft.
GRADE: 1st Round (No. 12 overall)
