HEIGHT: 6-3 / WEIGHT: 245 / COLLEGE: Penn State / CLASS: Junior
2019 STATS (13 GAMES): 109 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 5 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles
CAREER STATS (26 GAMES): 191 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 5 passes defended, 6 forced fumbles
GAMES WATCHED (4): Memphis, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State (2019)
| 40 | BENCH | VERT | BROAD | 3 CONE | 20S | 60S |
MENTAL PROCESSING (17/20)
- Quick to trigger downhill against the run
- Reads keys and gets to the right destination more often than not
- Shows solid instincts against the run and pass
- Good at sifting through trash to find the ball-carrier
- Inexperience (just two years at linebacker) shows up in reads at times
- Has some trouble finding the ball on misdirection and zone-read runs
SPEED/RANGE (19/20)
- Really fast coming downhill and running sideline to sideline (4.4 speed?)
- Excellent pursuit defender — wins a lot of races to the sideline
- A little tight-hipped changing directions
BLOCK-SHEDDING/EVASION (18/20)
- Has the body type and strength to hold up well in exchanges with offensive linemen
- Good stack-and-shed ability
- Beats blockers to spots frequently because of speed and aggressiveness
- Takes on blocks with shoulder at times when it would be more favorable to stack and shed with hands
TACKLING (13.5/15)
- Sure tackler — consistently squares up targets, closes space and wraps up
- Knack for punching the ball out
- Could run his legs through more tackles
COVERAGE ABILITY (12/15)
- Wasn’t really tested or asked to do much in coverage
- Showed solid zone coverage instincts and an ability to handle basic coverage responsibilities
- Has the athletic traits needed to handle man coverage responsibilities against tight ends and running backs
- Shows slight hip tightness in space
BLITZ/PASS-RUSH ABILITY (5/5)
- Excellent gap and edge blitzer
- Can get skinny and squeeze through small creases in the offensive line
- Speed, flexibility and hand usage as a pass rusher make him a tough assignment
MOTOR (4/5)
- Effort is generally good as a pass rusher, run defender and coverage player
- Could show more hustle in backside pursuit
OVERALL GRADE: 88.50/100.00 — 1ST ROUND — Quality starter with Pro Bowl potential
SCHEME FIT: Mike or Sam linebacker, ideally in a scheme that likes to blitz its linebackers frequently
DRAFT PROJECTION: Top-15 pick
Parsons projects as a good plug-and-play Mike or Sam linebacker. He has rare athleticism for a linebacker of his size, as well as good tackling, block-shedding and pass-rush ability. His instincts are pretty good for a player as inexperienced as he is at his position, and he’s solid in coverage. With improved play recognition, he can be a perennial All-Pro.
