The Penn State Nittany Lions have been a premier program through multiple sports over the last couple of decades. But they might have seen a crowning moment for every program with the success Carter Starocci has enjoyed over the last five years. Before him, the best product to come from the school was arguably Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parson.
On Starocci’s incredible achievement, Parsons went ahead and congratulated Starocci on his incredible achievement, before putting him on the highest possible pedestal. Despite his own excellence on the gridiron, Parsons believed Starocci was a class apart.
Micah Parsons Crowns Carter Starocci
During a three-year college career, Parsons came to Penn State as a five-star recruit in 2018. He would ultimately end up playing in two seasons only, opting out in 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After being a depth piece his freshman season, he exploded onto the scene as a starter in 2019. He totaled 109 total tackles while adding five sacks and even four fumbles to his tally. His contributions earned him the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year Award.
Additionally, he was a consensus All-American and was eventually selected 12th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Draft.
However, even with his incredible career, what Starocci has done in recent times is nothing short of legendary. Thanks to the 2020-21 season not counting toward collegiate eligibility, Starocci was able to win an unprecedented fifth Division I title, a year after becoming the fourth person ever to win four titles, with teammate Aaron Brooks the fifth.
His incredible achievement, while also breaking the scoring record set by Penn State themselves last season, led Parsons to admit that the wrestling legend was the greatest athlete in the Nittany Lions’ history.
“Congrats to probably the greatest athlete in Penn State athletics history @carterstarocci !! Mr. 5 time national champion!! It’s unheard of and never have been done before! Congratulations champ!”
Congrats to Probaly the greatest athlete in Penn state athletics history @carterstarocci !! Mr. 5 time national champion!! It’s un heard of and never have been done before!Congratulations champ!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) March 22, 2025
He couldn’t help but feel a little boastful himself, adding a compilation of images from his victory, while captioning it, “The One and Only 5x NCAA Champion EVER on the planet”.
The One and Only 5x NCAA Champion EVER on the planet pic.twitter.com/226ZOQUvvt
— Carter Starocci (@carterstarocci) March 23, 2025
It was a record-breaking night for the entire program with Coach Cael Sanderson winning 10 All-Americans, translating to one wrestler in the top eight of every weight class, the second squad ever, and the first in 24 years since Minnesota in 2001.
Etching his name in history, Starocci credited the mindset Sanderson cultivated in the entire team as the key to his success. “It means a lot to me … I never want to downplay the moment … but one thing that Coach Cael really instills in us this is all just preparation for the next thing.”
During the 2020s decade, Starocci has established himself as one of one throughout the wrestling landscape. He’s getting all the laurels from fans and Nittany Lions members, both present and past, and it is hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve every second of it.