Dallas Cowboys linebacker and former Nittany Lions star Micah Parsons has been named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month, the league announced on Thursday.

Hard work pays off. @MicahhParsons11 is the @NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month! #ProBowlVote Micah Parsons pic.twitter.com/uBf3CNXnUw

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 2, 2021

In November, the Penn State product amassed 25 tackles (eight for a loss), 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. If Parsons had played only in November this season, his sack total would be good for the eleventh-highest mark in the league. This past month he sacked star quarterbacks Derek Carr, Matt Ryan, Teddy Bridgewater, and Patrick Mahomes en route to setting Dallas’s rookie sacks record.

Micah Parsons is just that good pic.twitter.com/DQJJ2Dduq6

— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 21, 2021

He has played all year however, compiling 67 tackles (15 for a loss), nine sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles.

Of all players with 150 defensive snaps or more, Parsons has the highest pressure rate in the league with a rate of 19.8%. He also leads the league in tackles for loss and on Thanksgiving, broke the Cowboys rookie sack record previously held by recent Hall of Fame semifinalist DeMarcus Ware.

Big time. @MicahhParsons11 sets the @DallasCowboys rookie sack record!

: #LVvsDAL on CBS
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/2nuc6yuDt2

— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2021

Parsons is the first Dallas Cowboy to earn Defensive Rookie of the Month this year, but fellow defensive stalwart Trevon Diggs was named Defensive Player of the Month in September. Earlier this season, Parsons was also named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance on Halloween.

During his stint at Penn State, Parsons played two seasons after being recruited with a five star rating. Through those two seasons, the consensus All-American recorded 191 tackles, six and a half sacks, and six forced fumbles. He did not return for his junior season and instead focused on draft preparation.

The Nittany Lion is the clear current betting favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and for good reason. Last season, the Dallas Cowboys had a historically bad defense. Since drafting Parsons in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, there has been a dramatic turnaround.

America’s Team will need Parsons to continue to play at a high level as the NFC East race tightens. No. 11 will get another opportunity to bolster his season resume, in hopes of reaching his first Pro Bowl, against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football.