NFL Draft preview: Inspired by Micah Parsons, Penn State duo trying to make mark as pass rushers

It’s fitting that Chop Robinson’s draft bio on the NFL website compares him to Dallas Cowboys star defender Micah Parsons.

Although they played different positions at Penn State, they have enough similar traits that personnel execs believe Robinson can follow in Parsons’ footsteps and excel as an NFL pass rusher.

Robinson, like the former Nittany Lions linebacker, carries a first-round grade heading into the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday. He may not be the No. 12 overall pick like Parsons was in 2021 or emerge as a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist, but Robinson is viewed as one of the top edge rushers in his class.

Robinson played defensive end during his two years at Penn State — he played at Maryland as a freshman — but his 6-foot-3, 254-pound frame suggests a future at outside linebacker in the NFL. From a size perspective, Robinson is the same height and nine pounds heavier than what is listed in Parsons’ bio.

“He’s got the elite, elite ‘get-off’ speed and big-time burst,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “For me, it’s some of the finishing things (that need improving), just being able to get the quarterback and finish, being a little more under control.”

A first-time Big Ten selection, Robinson didn’t light up the stats sheet in his junior season, accumulating four sacks on 7 1/2 tackles for loss in 10 games. He was more productive as a sophomore when he had 5 1/2 sacks and 10 tackles for loss while playing in two more games.

At Penn State, Robinson never crossed paths with Parsons, who turned pro after opting out of the covid-shortened 2020 season. Still, he views Parsons as a mentor.

“He’s very relentless and consistent with everything he does,” Robinson said at the NFL Combine. “I try to pattern my game after his.”

The two kept in touch during the college season with Robinson saying that Parsons imparted some helpful advice.

“We talked more about life, having a routine and being mentally free when you play,” Robinson said. “If you’re mentally stressed about everything, you won’t be able to be the player you want to be and play fast.”

Robinson isn’t the only Penn State edge rusher in this year’s draft class who holds Parsons in high esteem. And Adisa Isaac, who is a projected second-day pick, had his college career overlap with Parsons.

They were teammates in 2019 when Isaac was a freshman.

“I got to see what he does in practice and the mentality he has going into games,” Isaac said. “That has stuck with me as I’ve gone through my career. But what he’s done in the NFL has been amazing. I’m glad to see that as a defensive end I can steal some of the tricks of the trade. He’s a great player, and I try to pick up some of his moves.”

The 6-4, 247-pound Isaac missed the 2021 season because of a torn Achilles. He returned in 2022 to lead Penn State with 11 tackles for loss. He opted to return for his senior season and led the Nittany Lions with 16 tackles for loss and 7 1/2 sacks.

“Getting that second year removed from my injury really helped me, and I got the reps I needed to get back in the groove,” Isaac said. “I feel better and got my confidence back as a player. That has set me apart from where I was last year.”

While Robinson has 4.48 speed, Isaac ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds at the combine, likely lowering his draft grade.

When scouting Big Ten offensive line prospects, Jeremiah said he would pop in the tape of that player’s game against Penn State to see how they fared against the Nittany Lions’ defensive linemen.

“Those guys played really, really hard, and they were great to evaluate other players against,” Jeremiah said of Robinson and Isaac. “That was something that stood out from watching those Penn State games.”

Robinson said the presence of Isaac helped mold him into an NFL prospect.

“It was great competition every day in practice,” he said. “When we did drills, we would both be in the front of the line trying to beat each other. It was making us better.”

Other edge rushers carrying first-round grades include Alabama’s Dallas Turner, Florida State’s Jared Verse and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. Jeremiah has Robinson ranked fourth in that pecking order.

“In talking to teams around the league over the last week, I think it’s a lot closer with Chop with those top three guys than maybe some people expect,” Jeremiah said. “There are a lot of people out there who think Chop could end up being the second edge rusher to go.”