On Friday, former Penn State and current Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons was named a first-team All-Pro for the second consecutive year as an edge rusher.
The Associated Press 2022 NFL All-Pro Team First Team: pic.twitter.com/xJEVWCHTjJ
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) January 13, 2023
Parsons is the first Cowboy since the late “Bullet” Bob Hayes in 1965-66 to make the AP first-team in his first two seasons in the league.
Parsons recorded 65 tackles, 13.5 sacks, three pass breakups and three forced fumbles in the regular season.
He also led the Cowboys with 65 forced pressures.
Parsons was also named a first-team All-Pro by Pro Football Focus, where he had a total grade of 91.6, one of the highest grades in the league for any position. Although he transitioned into a full-time pass rusher, he dropped back into coverage 64 times, per PFF, and held up just as well in coverage.
Parsons was the central part of a Dallas defense that was sixth in the league in points allowed, eight in the league in pass defense and fourth in the league in team sacks. The Cowboys posted a 12-5 record and are in the playoffs as a Wild Card berth.
Parsons is also one of the top contenders for NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.
A five-star recruit from Harrisburg, Parsons only played two seasons at Penn State, but made the most of his time, being named freshman all-American in 2018 and consensus all-American in 2019. He didn’t left Penn State after that 2019 season, choosing to focus on the NFL Draft amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Dallas then selected Parsons with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Before coming to Penn State, Parsons was a five-star signee out of Harrisburg Prep High School. He lived up hype in college, and so far, is doing so in the NFL.
Parsons and the Cowboys will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday night.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
