Five-star Micah Parsons had been committed to Penn State since February of last year, but the Harrisburg, Pa. star announced Sunday night that he has decided to open up his recruitment.

IN HIS OWN WORDS...

"I decommitted right before the summer because I just feel like I need to take this offseason to focus on football, my senior year, and making sure I make the right decision," Parsons said. "I took a lot of visits and a lot of people are shaming me for it and I just think I may have committed a little too early. I'm going to take the full experience to make sure I make the right decision.

"I felt like my visit to Penn State this weekend went amazing," he said. "Everything was good for me but at the end of the day it came down to family. I talked to coach Franklin in person there and over the phone today and thought this would be the best decision for right now. They're still my top school right now but I fell like I need to focus on other things right now.

"My plan right now is getting ready for the SAT, focusing on school, getting bigger, and getting ready for the Rivals Camp," said Parsons. "I think I'll take a family visit up to Penn State. Coach Franklin said he wants me to bring my whole family up there to talk to him. I'm pretty sure I'll be at the Lasch Bash too. I think I'll also go to Friday Night Lights at Ohio State. My Dad and I will probably make a trip to Alabama and Florida State. I think I'll commit on Signing Day or before the first signing period."

RIVALS' REACTION

Parsons has taken a number of visits over the past couple months and many people have been wondering if Parsons would eventually sign with Penn State on Signing Day. Ohio State emerged as the biggest contender to pull Parsons away from Penn State and he even named his new dog after Brutus, the Ohio State mascot.