Carlis Parker has Star Potential for the Hokies
By Tim Thomas
Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Carlis Parker (16) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Carlis Parker was an unknown wide receiver for the Hokies before the Sun Bowl but now, Parker seems set to become a breakout star in the fall and give the Hokies four talented wide receivers to go with two very good tight ends. Carlis Parker came out of high school as a 4-star athlete and is ready to have a big time sophomore season after a spring performance that proved that Parker is not just hype but that he is a dynamic wide receiver. So, why is Carlis Parker going to be a big time wide receiver?
Carlis Parker first emerged in the 2013 Sun Bowl as the wide receiver was used multiple times on the jet sweep and Parker showed off some great speed on these players. Carlis Parker proved that day that he had the type of speed that can make him a matchup nightmare and a very dynamic playmaker. Carlis Parker once again showed off speed on the jet sweep in the Spring Game and seems likely to be used a lot on jet sweeps in the fall with the speed he has.
Carlis Parker did have a drop in the Spring Game but Parker also showed that he had the hands to really make some catches that not many players can make. He had a couple of really nice catches though they were deservingly overshadowed by the exceptional one-handed catch by Willie Byrn. Carlis Parker helped Mark Leal on one specific catch in which Leal threw the ball behind Parker who still made the catch in a little traffic. Carlis Parker also showed that he can be a great route runner with the ability to get seperation. During the Spring Game on one play, Carlis Parker ran a very good route on a corner route and while he disappointly dropped the pass, Parker showed his ability to gain seperation and how he was a solid route runner. Carlis Parker is going to be quite good for the next few years and that is something Hokies’ fan are definitely excited about.
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