Micah Parsons has made a name for himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys star is a two-time first-team All-Pro, a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and the heart of Dallas’ defense. But in an alternate universe, Parsons might not be sacking quarterbacks — he might be running through defenders instead.
Parsons recently revealed a fascinating “what if” scenario on a new episode of his podcast. Before he became an elite pass rusher, Parsons was an unstoppable force on the offensive side of the ball. In fact, one of college football’s biggest powerhouses — Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide — wanted him to join their team as a running back.
Micah Parsons Was Recruited as a Running Back By Alabama
During his high school days at Harrisburg (PA), Parsons wasn’t just a defensive star — he was a nightmare for opposing defenses as a running back.
And he wasn’t just good. Parson was dominant.
As a senior, Parsons rushed for 1,239 yards and a mind-blowing 27 touchdowns in just 12 games. His blend of athleticism was so rare that multiple powerhouse programs, including Alabama, Penn State, and Oklahoma, recruited him to play running back instead of linebacker or defensive end.
WILD: #Cowboys star DE Micah Parsons received an offer to play RUNNING BACK for Nick Saban at Alabama.
In high school, Parsons rushed for 1,239 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Micah also received offers from Penn State and Oklahoma to be an RB.
FREAK ATHLETE.pic.twitter.com/beJmR0RAsB
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 4, 2025
It’s not hard to see why. Parsons’ unique blend of size, strength, and speed made him a near-impossible matchup for high school defenders. And if you ask him, his high school highlight tape looked a lot like an NFL legend’s.
Parsons Compares His High School Highlights to Derrick Henry
Parsons didn’t just play running back; he dominated in a way that reminded him of another physically imposing back: Derrick Henry.
In the same podcast episode, Parsons compared his high school film to Henry’s legendary highlights. The Baltimore Ravens star running back was a high school phenom in Florida, routinely running over entire defenses like they were junior varsity squads. Henry’s absurd combination of size and power made him look like a man among boys.
Parsons believes he had that same effect in high school. Like Henry, he was simply bigger, faster, and stronger than everyone else on the field. Watching his highlights, it’s hard to argue.
What If Parsons Had Played RB?
It’s a fun thought experiment. Could Parsons have followed Henry’s path and become a dominant NFL running back?
His athleticism certainly suggests it. But ultimately, Parsons’ move to defense was the right call. He became a star at Penn State, a first-round pick, and one of the best defensive players in the NFL.