Penn State has produced some legendary NFL players over the years, with some of the best playing in the league currently. The NFL has been announcing new players on its list of the 100 best players every day, multiple Penn State players, and it’s almost complete.
All-time great Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley made the cut at No. 34 a couple weeks back, and now another one of the team’s alumni has joined him. The No. 8 player on the list was revealed on Wednesday — Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons.
This placement comes as a surprise, not because the former Dallas Cowboy doesn’t deserve it, but because he suffered a season-ending injury late in the year. Players are usually penalized for variables like those, like Baltimore
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who came in at No. 69 on the list after an injury-riddled season.
Everyone knows Parsons is arguably the most impactful defender in the league, and it’s obvious by Green Bay’s collapse after his injury. It seems like his peers understand the value that he provides to a team and gave him the recognition he deserves for it. He’ll most likely be the last Penn State player on the list, but having two of them as top-35 players is an incredible feat.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Micah Parsons earns major NFL recognition despite injury-riddled 2025
