NFL Draft: Pro comparisons for the top 32 prospects in 2021
By Adam Patrick
NFL Draft 2021 Pro Comparisons: Micah Parsons → Jaylon Smith
After an outstanding high school career in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Micah Parsons became an immediate difference-maker in his freshman season at Penn State. In his first year at the school, Parsons’ impressive athleticism resulted in him finishing with a total of 82 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
As a sophomore at Penn State, the talented linebacker took his performance to an even higher level as he wound up with 109 tackles (14 for a loss), five sacks, five pass deflections, and four forced fumbles. He was a big-time force in the middle of the school’s defense.
Why he compares to Jaylon Smith:
Like Parsons, Jaylon Smith created a lot of havoc for opposing offenses during his college career at Notre Dame. Even after a devastating knee injury in 2016, Smith’s ability to be a disruptive presence on the field as a defender has carried over into his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys.
Parsons and Smith have identical measurements (6-foot-2, 245 pounds), but the former Penn State linebacker seems to have a bit more explosiveness in his style of play. Like Smith, however, Parsons is able to get the most out of his athleticism as a middle linebacker.
A number of linebackers have been able to quickly make an impact during their rookie seasons in the NFL recently including Devin White, Devin Bush Jr., and Darius Leonard. Parsons has the talent to step right in as a Day 1 starter for whoever decides to select him in this year’s draft.