Sans Parsons, PSU hopes to uphold linebacker legacy
Penn State lost its best linebacker and best player when Micah Parsons decided to opt out of the season in August because of COVID-19 concerns.
Parsons’ departure was a punch to the stomach at a position that had already lost Jan Johnson and Cam Brown to graduation last year.
Even though Brent Pry, the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, remains close with Parsons, he did his best to look ahead and not back during Penn State’s Media Days this week.
“He obviously was an important piece to it,” Pry said about Parsons. “It’s almost like he suffered an injury, and all of a sudden you have a starter who you’re not going to have. More than anything, it was full steam ahead.
“With Micah’s departure, it actually created a little bit more competition with that spot opening up. We have a bunch of hungry guys who are ready to make people forget about No. 11 (Parsons) somewhat.”
While that might be impossible this fall, Pry said it to show confidence in the remaining linebackers. He expects Jesse Luketa and Ellis Brooks to be the leaders of a group that includes Brandon Smith, Lance Dixon, Charlie Katshir and incoming freshman Curtis Jacobs, a four-star prospect.
“Jesse’s an animal right now,” Pry said. “He’s big. He’s strong. He’s taken ownership of the defense. He has a real command of things. He reminds me of (Jason) Cabinda a little bit. He can say the wrong thing and all 11 (players on defense) would do it for him.
“Jesse’s a powerful guy. He has a big demeanor. He runs the show. He’s just a real presence out there on the field and he knows this is his time.”
The 6-3, 241-pound Luketa, a junior, roomed with Parsons and is close friends with him. He said Parsons almost came back to Penn State in recent weeks.
“Micah was close to making that decision,” Luketa said. “Micah is going to do what he feels is best for him and his family. He thought staying out and preparing for the job (in the NFL) was the best decision. We’re completely behind him.”
Parsons, Johnson and Brown didn’t miss any time last season, but Luketa, Brooks and Smith saw action in every game. Those three are the top candidates to be the starters, with Luketa or Brooks in the middle or on the strong side and Smith on the weak side.
“Jan and Cam were great leaders,” said Brooks, a fourth-year junior. “They were able to bring me and Jesse along to the point where we’re able to lead to the same standard they did.
We lost a lot of guys, but it’s a next-man-up mentality. It’s about me and Jesse just pushing forward and trying to get things going.
“This is a very exciting room with a lot of speed and a lot of talent. I feel that we will make a lot of plays.”
Penn State’s linebackers were considered among the nation’s best by several preseason magazines, fourth by Lindy’s Sports and eighth by Phil Steele’s. But that was before Parsons opted out.
Coach James Franklin said this week that he still considers it a position of strength. The players who remain plan to uphold the tradition.
“Micah is an amazing player, but it goes beyond one player,” Brooks said. “Linebacker U. was here before I was here, and it’s going to be here long after this. It’s living up to that standard and coming into Lasch (Building) every single day with that mentality and that approach.”