Two former Nittany Lions are headed to the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games, adding another chapter to Penn State’s growing legacy in the pros. The NFL announced its Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday, with Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons earning a spot on the NFC squad and Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout getting the nod for the AFC.
Let’s start with Parsons - a name that’s become synonymous with dominance off the edge. Even though he won’t be suiting up for the Pro Bowl due to a season-ending ACL tear suffered in Week 15 against the Broncos, his impact this year was undeniable. Parsons landed on injured reserve just three days after the injury, but not before putting together another monster campaign.
In just his fifth NFL season, Parsons made his fifth straight Pro Bowl - a perfect five-for-five. That’s elite territory.
He finished the year with 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. That kind of production speaks volumes, especially considering he was traded from Dallas to Green Bay right before the season kicked off.
The Packers wasted no time locking him down with a big-time contract extension, making it clear they see him as a cornerstone for the future.
On the other side of the ball - or rather, on special teams - Jordan Stout has quietly put together one of the best punting seasons in the league. And now he’s got his first Pro Bowl selection to show for it.
Stout is averaging a career-best 50.5 yards per punt and a net average of 44.9 yards, also a personal high. That’s not just solid - that’s elite punting.
He’s pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 41.7% of his punts, and his 74-yard bomb earlier this year stands as the longest of his career. Among punters who’ve played at least 10 games this season, Stout ranks third in average and first in net average - a testament to both his leg strength and placement precision.
It’s worth noting that another former Nittany Lion, Blake Gillikin of the Arizona Cardinals, actually leads the league in both categories. But with only five games under his belt this season, he didn’t qualify for the same statistical thresholds.
Stout, a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in 2022, is now 27 and clearly hitting his stride. This Pro Bowl nod feels like the culmination of steady progress and breakout performance.
Penn State may have only two Pro Bowlers this year, but the fan vote showed just how strong the program’s NFL presence remains. Parsons led all defensive ends in fan voting, while Stout ranked seventh among punters.
Several other former Nittany Lions made waves in the positional voting, too. Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker topped the list among strong safeties. Colts tight end Tyler Warren finished fourth at his position, Buffalo Bills center Connor McGovern came in fifth, Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll ranked eighth, and Giants running back Saquon Barkley also landed at eighth among his peers.
The Pro Bowl Games, set for February 3 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, will feature a mix of skills competitions and a 7-on-7 flag football format. While Parsons won’t be able to participate, his selection - along with Stout’s - is another reminder of the talent pipeline flowing from Happy Valley to the NFL.
For Penn State fans, it’s not just about who made it this year - it’s about how consistently their alumni are showing up among the league’s best.