Penn State just lost their best player for the 2020 football season.

This wasn’t a surprise, and had been reported earlier in the week, but it was made official today by both Parsons himself and the PSU program.

Here’s a video they put together:

Parsons is the real deal, certainly the best player to come out of Penn State since Saquon Barkley. He was the Big 10 linebacker of the year, first team all-conference, first team All-American, and the defensive MVP in Penn State’s Cotton Bowl win. He’s top five on most 2021 NFL draft big boards, right up there with Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Ja’Marr Chase. Parsons should be the first defensive player selected next year.

He has a young son, which he explains is the reason for opting out instead of playing his junior year:

As I consider all my options for the 2020 season, I decided I needed to make a choice, not for myself, but my son, and those dearest to me. While I felt safe with the health and safety standards set as we returned to Penn State for workouts, the potential risk to the health and well-being of my son far outweighed my urge to play football this season.

Health concerns aside, Parsons didn’t need to play another college football season. He’s that good, totally ready for the NFL, and would look magnificent wearing Eagle green. Unfortunately, he’ll be off the board before the Birds pick, assuming they don’t have an absolutely appalling season.