The LSU Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies are set to do battle as SEC opponents for the first time this fall. Already battling on the recruiting trail, the Aggies and new coach Kevin Sumlin won a high-profile skirmish on Sunday when former LSU commit Kyrion Parker, a wide receiver from Alvin (TX) Manvel, committed to the Aggies. At A&M, Parker will join current teammate Tavares Garner, a cornerback also committed to A&M.
Former LSU Pledge Kyrion Parker Commits To Texas A&M Aggies
For a brief while on Friday, it seemed that Parker had already made the decision after VYPE Houston reported that the 6-3, 200-pound wide receiver had committed to A&M after doing an interview with Parker at the Houston Red Bull Gamebreakers 7-on-7 event. Subsequent reports revealed that the VYPE news was false, although Parker hardly denied his interest ($) in the Aggies:
I was going to commit today but it’s a real big decision for me so I want to make sure it’s the right one. I got a good vibe from the coaching staff when I was down there. It was real welcoming. It’s a nice place. They run a spread just like we do at Manvel so that’s awesome. That’s what I’m looking for.
In the same interview with Gigem247, Parker mentioned that he was “waiting” to make a decision, but clearly didn’t need to wait long, officially giving his verbal pledge only two days later.
A conversation with his family confirmed his belief that A&M was the right place to continue his football career:
I just sat down with my family, weighed every option and talked it out,” he said. “When we were done, everything pointed to Texas A&M, so I got it done today. I took a picture in my A&M shirt and then I sent a text message to Coach Sumlin asking him if it was ok for me to be an Aggie. Then, I called him later and he told me that’s what he’s been waiting to hear.
A two-star prospect by Scout and rated at three stars by Rivals and 247Sports, Parker spent only 10 days as an LSU pledge, visiting Texas A&M and Texas during that time before decommitting on June 14th. He needed only 10 days more to decide on the Aggies, despite holding an offer from the Oklahoma Sooners.
Injured during his junior season in the first game after transferring to Manvel from Houston (TX) Lamar, Parker generated significant interest during the spring despite his lack of film. Continuing the trend of impressive performances during 7-on-7 events this summer, Parker has been consistently been one of the top receivers at every event he’s attended.
Not known as a quick-twitch athlete, Parker nonetheless has strong initial burst off into his routes for a receiver of his size. Those quick feet translate to his breaks as well, especially double moves that Parker uses to consistently create separation. If Parker is quicker than he is fast, he’s still an impressive athlete at top speed and profile as a deep threat in college because of his ability to use upper body fakes to shake defensive backs.
Though the big wide receiver struggles at times to consistently use his hands to catch the ball away from his body, he does flash the ability to do so on occasion, and improved technique and focused practice can often remedy this issue.
Kyrion Parker 7-on-7 highlights (via Gigem247dotcom)
