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Micah Parsons’ Pro Day Featured In Episode Two Of ESPN’s ‘Hey, Rookie’

ESPN’s “Hey, Rookie, Welcome To The NFL” returned to State College in its latest episode featuring former Penn State superstar Micah Parsons.

After Parsons made several cameos in the first episode, episode two dove in to highlight Parsons’ Pro Day, outgoing personality, and prominence at Penn State.

Parsons’ segment got underway inside the Penn State locker room, where he led the cameras straight to where his locker used to be.

“It’d be a one-one right here,” Parsons said. “I think once you make the middle, that’s what solidifies you. The middle is kind of where all the leaders or best players are.”

Parsons was certainly one of Penn State’s best players during his time in blue and white, and where he took the cameras next is what there is to show for it.

He began back around the time his collegiate career began, flashing an All-American selection plaque hanging up and preceding Saquon Barkley on the wall. He’d also show off his spot on Penn State football’s “Wall of Fame.” Parsons mentioned that it’s surreal how far things have come, considering Barkley’s influence was one of the chief reasons he chose Penn State in the first place.

Parsons said, however, that he was perhaps most appreciated in the weight room. He boasts about the power clean record that he holds and the squat record that he used to hold, until redshirt sophomore linebacker Robbie Dwyer snatched it from him last year.

The episode would then transition to Parsons’ Pro Day, which is where things would really start to pick up. First, the focus was on the 40-yard dash.

Parsons said he was shooting for a 4.3, but would settle for a low-4.4 because Devin White and Devin Bush, both guys he looks up to, run at that speed.

“I think if I can show teams how good I can move for my size at defensive end and linebacker, I think that’s going to separate me in the draft,” Parsons said.

Parsons’ versatility is definitely something of value in today’s NFL, and he seemed confident of that as well.

Parsons was fairly confident that he was going to best his competition, too.

“[Justin Fields] is like my nemesis right now. We’ve got a bet on who can run a faster 40. I don’t know why he believes he can run faster than me,” Parsons said. “You’ve seen the film.”

The scene was dramatic as NFL coaches looked upon Parsons, while Terrance Parsons, Micah’s father, recorded his son with an iPad from the side.

Parsons clocked a 4.39 and Fields only a 4.44, so it turns out that his confidence was warranted.

“Justin is in trouble,” Parsons said with a smile as he dapped up his father, who congratulated him on his blazing fast time.

Finally, the scene shifts to the Berkey Creamery, where Parsons shared a scoop at the Penn State landmark with former teammate and linebacker Jesse Luketa.

“I think I made a lot of money today,” Parsons said when Luketa asked him about his Pro Day.

Luketa initially asked Parsons what he is going to wear on draft night, as Parsons is one of the select players chosen to attend the event in Cleveland. But the conversation shifted quickly, and had viewers trying to decided whether or not Parsons shared any resemblance at all to R&B singer Trey Songz.

Parsons certainly thinks he does, but Luketa would argue otherwise.

“Ever since I met Micah, he thinks he looks like Trey Songz. America, he does not look like Trey Songz,” Luketa said. “We need to nip that in the butt!”

According to Parsons, Michael B. Jordan is also in the mix for his celebrity look alike.

The next episode of “Hey, Rookie” is scheduled to air at 8 p.m on Tuesday, April 27, just two days before Parsons is expected to hear his name called on draft night.

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About the Author

Zach Donaldson

Zach is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. He is a writer for Onward State and serves as an editor for Penn State’s CommRadio. He hails from Downingtown, Pa., or in other words "just outside of Philly." When he's not watching or ranting about Philly sports, you can probably find him at the gym. If you like sports tweets, follow him on Twitter @zachdonaldson_ and all inquiries can go to [email protected].

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