Penn State Football plays in the Citrus Bowl against Kentucky to close out the 2018 season, but fans have plenty of things to add to their wish list for 2019.
Penn State had a disappointing season with a few close losses that kept them out of the Big Ten Championship Game, Rose Bowl, and College Football Playoff. Their losses against Michigan State and Ohio State were so disappointing, but the blowout loss to Michigan was not entirely unexpected.
The Citrus Bowl is not a bad bowl game and being ranked 12th in the nation with three losses is notable. Penn State won important games against Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana, but they failed to beat the top teams.
Penn State needs to beat the best teams in the Big Ten in order to be like one of the top teams in the nation like Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, or Oklahoma. Here is a wish list for next season that may help accomplish that task.
5. All-American Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons is the most talented football player on Penn State’s roster. He led the team in tackles and was not even a starter for the majority of the 2018 season.
Parsons was a five-star recruit and the top player in his class from Pennsylvania. He was ranked in the top five nationally as well. He was named to ESPN’s Freshman All-American team. At 6-foot-3, he has the potential to be a star next season as a true sophomore.
If Parsons can become a true leader, Penn State’s defense could become one of the best in the country. The defense showed flashes of greatness as this year progressed, and they will have a major impact on the Nittany Lions’ success next season.