Arkansas dipped back into the Sooner State on Friday to net a commitment from three-star (5.7) CB Keuan Parker out of Booker T. Washington in Tulsa, Okla.
Parker recently narrowed his options down to Arkansas, SMU, Nebraska, Baylor, Michigan State and Kansas, and his trip up to The Hill in March right before the CoVid-19 stay-at-home orders loomed especially large. SMU and Michigan St were playing from behind after extending offers earlier this spring, while Baylor, Kansas and Nebraska were in pursuit dating back to last year.
Parker, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound cornerback, has one verified track time of an 11.67-second 100-meter time. There have been other verified times, though he has reported a 100M time in the 10.7 range. That means a 40 time could fluctuate anywhere from 4.4 to 4.7 speed.
Parker enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in 2018 in which he racked up 26 tackles and 3 interceptions in 10 games. Last year, as a junior in eight games, Parker added another 45 tackles, 14 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and 1 sack.
Ranked as the No. 40 CB in the country and No. 6 overall player in Oklahoma, Parker projects as a slot corner in the SEC and splits snaps both as an outside CB and nickel CB on film. He has above-average short-area quickness to jar the ball loose and be physical defending wide receivers. He does not shy away from big hits and roaming the entire field to hit ball-carriers.
Parker has great closing speed, which allows him to effectively play off-ball coverage, but has the ability to press at the line and cover well without being too handsy. His football speed and agility is quite evident by his ability to shadow receivers all across the field without losing a step. Parker effectively covers receivers downfield and shields against the middle of the field very well.
Parker has natural ball skills as proof by the five interceptions over the past two seasons, many of which come by simply being in the right position on the field and letting his nose for the football show. At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Parker seems to be in the same Greg Brooks Jr. mold to take over in the slot in Fayetteville. His height brings some natural questions about defending bigger, more physical wide receivers and challenging for 50-50 balls downfield and in the end zone.
Parker recently narrowed his options down to Arkansas, SMU, Nebraska, Baylor, Michigan State and Kansas, and his trip up to The Hill in March right before the CoVid-19 stay-at-home orders loomed especially large. SMU and Michigan St were playing from behind after extending offers earlier this spring, while Baylor, Kansas and Nebraska were in pursuit dating back to last year.
Parker, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound cornerback, has one verified track time of an 11.67-second 100-meter time. There have been other verified times, though he has reported a 100M time in the 10.7 range. That means a 40 time could fluctuate anywhere from 4.4 to 4.7 speed.
Parker enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in 2018 in which he racked up 26 tackles and 3 interceptions in 10 games. Last year, as a junior in eight games, Parker added another 45 tackles, 14 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and 1 sack.
Ranked as the No. 40 CB in the country and No. 6 overall player in Oklahoma, Parker projects as a slot corner in the SEC and splits snaps both as an outside CB and nickel CB on film. He has above-average short-area quickness to jar the ball loose and be physical defending wide receivers. He does not shy away from big hits and roaming the entire field to hit ball-carriers.
Parker has great closing speed, which allows him to effectively play off-ball coverage, but has the ability to press at the line and cover well without being too handsy. His football speed and agility is quite evident by his ability to shadow receivers all across the field without losing a step. Parker effectively covers receivers downfield and shields against the middle of the field very well.
Parker has natural ball skills as proof by the five interceptions over the past two seasons, many of which come by simply being in the right position on the field and letting his nose for the football show. At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Parker seems to be in the same Greg Brooks Jr. mold to take over in the slot in Fayetteville. His height brings some natural questions about defending bigger, more physical wide receivers and challenging for 50-50 balls downfield and in the end zone.
