Penn State Nittany Lions

5-star Parsons caps Penn State's top-5 recruiting class

Published Dec. 20, 2017 10:41 p.m. ET

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) Five-star defensive end Micah Parsons decided to sign with Penn State - after he had de-committed from the Nittany Lions earlier this year - to highlight a class of 21 signees that ranked among the best in the country.

Parson, from Harrisburg, made his announcement early Wednesday, the first day of a new early signing period in college football. He had been recruited by Penn State since he was a freshman in high school and gave a verbal commitment to the Nittany Lions, but decided to open it up in April.

He made official visits to Georgia and Penn State this month before finally making a decision. Parsons was a defensive end in high school, but Penn State coach James Franklin said the plan was to play the 235-pounder at linebacker.

Penn State also got a late addition to its class in receiver Jahan Dotson from Pennsylvania flipped from UCLA to the Nittany Lions. Penn State's class was ranked fourth in the nation, landing five-star players from New Jersey (receiver Justin Shorter) and Virginia (running back Ricky Slade).

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