2009.02.23
Cavs get 2009 commitment
Virginia's first football commitment for 2010 is from Kevin Parks, a 5-foot-7, 185-pound running back who rushed for 2,864 yards and scored 43 touchdowns last year at West Rowan High School in Mount Ulla, N.C.
Parks also had offers from East Carolina and Illinois, and committed to the Cavaliers after a weekend trip that took him to ECU, Clemson and North Carolina State.
How would a player of this size and stature figure in the new offensive coordinator's scheme? Thanks , Orrie
Comment by Orrie — February 23, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
This kid is very quick and elusive and has really good straight away speed from what I here. Sounds like he would fit nicely into any offense, especially a spread offense.
Comment by jeremy — February 23, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
Two words: Darren Sproles.
Comment by Doug Doughty — February 23, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Funny you guys should bring Parks up. I actually covered his quarterfinal state playoff game in November, and I'd heard a lot about him (they call him K.P.) because he had 2,441 yards and 37 touchdowns going in. But to be honest I wasn't overly impressed. He's small and, though he ran hard, I can't remember him shedding many tackles. His team only won because of a couple of late trick pays.
He was held to 91 yards on 26 carries, and while he was tough and disciplined he never came close to breaking one - not what you'd expect from a major-college recruit.
In fairness, West Rowan went on to win state pretty easily, and I think it's safe to say that Winston-Salem Carver, the team that shut Parks down, would have won state had it won that game. So the competition was pretty good.
Take from that what you will.
Comment by Ron — February 23, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
Incidentally, the Salisbury Post reports that Parks has not committed to Virginia. N.C. State and East Carolina have also offered and he plans to visit.
http://www.salisburypost.com/Sports/022209-parks
Comment by Ron — February 23, 2009 @ 10:48 pm
5 foot 7 and 185 lbs doesn't sound like becoming a major threat in the ACC.
Comment by Harry Daughtry — February 24, 2009 @ 8:45 am
Ron you might ask the nice folks in Salidbury to check with KP. He confirmed his commitment last night.
http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/sports/cavalier_insider/ci_recruiting_news/article/rb_parks_hopes_to_fly_at_virginia/36309/
Comment by Greg — February 24, 2009 @ 9:18 am
The guy who wrote the Salisbury story e-mailed me this morning and said it was official, Parks is a Cavalier.
Comment by Ron — February 24, 2009 @ 10:35 am
Story on the state championship game has some very favorable quotes on Parks from the opposing coach. He described him as a power back. I wonder if he's a little bit like Cedric Peerman.
Comment by Doug Doughty — February 24, 2009 @ 6:46 pm
Hey Doug! That's four words!
Comment by Robert — February 25, 2009 @ 10:55 am
I did a little asking around, the knock on Parks - outside of his size, or lack thereof, is his speed. There are whispers that while he has good feet and is quick, he is not fast. Tough to see how you can be that small and not fast, but I'm sure Groh wouldn't have offered him if he didn't think otherwise.
Comment by Ron — February 25, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Well, he certainly has impressive stats!
Comment by Nelson — February 26, 2009 @ 12:39 am
Sweet ol' Harry...are you a closet Cav? you seem to LOVE reading our blogs.
Comment by Eb — February 28, 2009 @ 10:37 am