North Carolina TE/DE Alex Parker talks recruiting and summer camp schedule
When we last caught up with Charlotte Christian tight end/defensive end Alex Parker in February recruiting was just picking up and summer one-day college camps were too far off to even start considering. Now nearly four months later the Class of 2016 rising star has offers from Elon, Mercer, and Gardner Webb with another dozen or so showing heavy interest.
As is the case for a lot of recruits every year, college coaches want to see the players in action at one of their camps. If the 6’3”, 240 pound, talent can show out at a couple of upcoming camps his offer sheet should push double digits in July.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with Alex to go over his offseason workouts, get an update on his recruiting, and got a handle on his one-day college camp circuit in June.
Alex, since we last spoke I know Elon, Mercer, and Gardner Webb have each offered. What other schools are showing heavy interest in you right now?
“Northwestern, Kentucky, N.C. State, App State (Appalachian State), Ohio, Ball State, UNCC (North Carolina Charlotte), James Madison, Toledo, Furman, and Walford are all showing interest.”
Have you been on any unofficial visits during the offseason?
“I’ve been to Kentucky, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State, Elon, and App State.”
How did the Kentucky visit go?
“It went well. It was cool being out there. I was there with my parents. They were showing us a lot of interest. We went during their spring game. We went, my dad and I, went on a private tour of all the facilities, campus, and got to see all that stuff.”
How was everything left with the Wildcats?
“They said that they already have one tight end committed in this class. They came down and watched me during the spring and they are kind of going from there.”
So they’ve left it open?
“Yes.”
How was your visit to Duke?
“I’ve not had as much contact with them as other schools. Our running back committed there so I went down to visit with him. I talked to the tight end coach and saw the campus and the facilities but I’ve not had as much contact with them as some of the other schools I’ve been talking to.”
What about your N.C. State visit, how did that go?
“It’s kind of the same thing as Kentucky. They have a tight end committed already. I’ve been down there to visit multiple times. I have a good relationship with the tight end coach there. We’re just kind of seeing how things play out down the road there.”
Of the schools that you mentioned that have been showing heavy interest which ones have been pushing really hard and want you to come to camp so they can give you that offer?
“I know that James Madison said if I come to camp and perform well they’ll offer after the camp is over. App State is also pushing really hard for me to come to camp. They’re having a local camp in Charlotte on June 16. So I’m going to go to that camp. Based on how I perform at that camp will determine if I get an offer or not.”
What other camps are you going to this summer?
“Right now the only camp I have scheduled is App State, just because me and Coach Estep had a meeting about a week ago. He said that a lot of schools have come by to see you workout in the spring, they’ve seen your tape and they’ve had a chance to evaluate you. App State did not have a chance to come by the school this spring. They’re pushing hard for me. He thinks that is the only camp as of right now that I should attend.”
Is there a college camp out there that you would like to attend even if the odds are that you will not?
“Not really any in particular. Maybe I’ll try to get back up to Kentucky but there is not one in particular that I’d like to go to.”
What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for the college camps?
“I’ve been going – we just started our workout program with the school on June 1. We have that on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. After those workouts I go eat, refuel, and then I go get another lift in at a separate gym. Usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays I get my speed workouts in.”
What are your latest max numbers in bench and squat?
“My bench is 335 and my squat is 500.”
Did you go to any exposure camps this offseason?
“I went to the Nike Open regionals camp in Charlotte.”
How well did you do at the camp?
“I felt pretty well about it. I thought I did well on one-on-ones and I put up pretty good numbers.”
Have you taken your ACT or SAT yet?
“I took my ACT, I got a 22 but I’m going to retake it. My parents are big on the academics. They want me to take it one more time to see if I can get it up. First time I took it I was sick. I know basically all you really need is a about a 20 to get into most schools. I’m not too worried about it.”
Written by Ryan Wright
Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 11 Alex Parker
Photo credit: rivals.com; Alex Parker