#9 DeVante Parker

Class: Sophomore Ht/Wt: 6-3/205 Position: Wide Receiver Hometown: Louisville, KY (Product of Ballard)

Louisville’s Take: Explosive big-play receiver ... made big plays down the field and can turn short catches into big gains... led the team in touchdowns... has the ability to leap and make big plays down the field... still needs to learn how to get off press coverage and get separation.

Thoughts: Coming out of high school, DeVante was a good sized wideout who had the potential to turn into something special. I actually felt a little sorry for DeVante because it seemed like he had the pressure on him of being the hometown kid who was gonna be star at his local university. I remember watching game one against Murray State, Cards already up 14 zip. Sunny throws a ball to Parker and he gets absolutely molested by the defender…and still pulls down the TD. Damn.

via hsreplays

DeVante finished with a team leading six touchdown grabs off of 18 receptions last year. Six Point Parker was born. I remember thinking during the year that Parker seemed to disappear for various stretches and almost always he would grab a touchdown just a few plays later. I know Charlie would love to get him more involved with the offense outside of the redzone, but if he continues to pull down six point grabs over the next three years I’m sure coach won’t lose much sleep. After all, Scotty Scholarship, Eli and the boys can move the ball down the field and then DeVante can top it off…mission accomplished. I’m very excited about this year for Parker. Very excited. I’m actually more excited than the kid at the end of the "Crossfire" commercial in the 90’s (google it, he was pumped)! I can’t wait to see DeVante continue to develop and become one of the better receivers we’ve had here over the last 10-15 years. If his skill set continues to grow we’ve got an amazing player in the works right from our own backyard.

Potential Nicknames: "Six Point Parker"

P.S. We're down to single digit days before the season starts...single digits people.