I figured he would have come out this year along with Bridgewater. Decent prospect, nice strong build for a receiver, nice leaping ability, some questions about his ability to create separation at the next level. Sucks that he got injured because this season could have been his opportunity to show that his production was less a product of a Teddy Bridgewater quarterbacked offense.
Imo he has potential to be a elite X receiver except for all his injuries and drops. If he's there in the second and we have no other pressing needs I'd love to nab him.
14 for 14: Most Freakish Athletes In College Football
1. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
He was Teddy Bridgewater's favorite receiver at Louisville, but will have to go without Bridgewater this fall. Parker's high-level athleticism will help him get by. He has been clocked at 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and his vertical jump has been measured at 36.5 inches and his broad jump at 10-foot-10. He can squat 455 pounds and bench press 335 pounds; he also can do 17 reps in the bench press at 225 pounds. In addition, he has a wing span of 80 inches, so when you factor in his height and his vertical jump, his catch radius is exceptionally large, which should make new starting QB Will Gardner smile.
The University of Louisville football team started this week with some of the best news it has received in this still-young season. With his teams biggest game to date coming up on Saturday at Clemson, U of L coach Bobby Petrino announced the return of star receiver DeVante Parker.
Parker, a senior, was cleared to return to practice after a six-week recovery from a fractured bone in his left foot that forced him to miss Louisvilles first six games.
Under new strength and conditioning coach Joe Miday, the emphasis has focused on speed and power.
There have been immediate results in just a few short months. Receiver DeVante Parker, already blessed with terrific size and strength, clocked 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash -- the fastest time he has ever posted. The number surprised many observers, perhaps because Parker was never truly unleashed in the run-first offense Strong employed. Parker said his time is a direct result of the new strength staff.
"Oh yeah, I am a lot faster now than I used to be," Parker said. In detailing the reasons, he said, "The new staff likes to work on what you need to work on so you can improve, and it will show during the game. Last year, it was more on your body than it is now. Now, they want you to be fast, too. Last year, they just wanted us to be bulky -- we didnt really work on speed. But now we do and it is a big advantage for us."
Originally posted by DeUh: Louisville Feels The Need For Speed
Under new strength and conditioning coach Joe Miday, the emphasis has focused on speed and power.
There have been immediate results in just a few short months. Receiver DeVante Parker, already blessed with terrific size and strength, clocked 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash -- the fastest time he has ever posted. The number surprised many observers, perhaps because Parker was never truly unleashed in the run-first offense Strong employed. Parker said his time is a direct result of the new strength staff.
"Oh yeah, I am a lot faster now than I used to be," Parker said. In detailing the reasons, he said, "The new staff likes to work on what you need to work on so you can improve, and it will show during the game. Last year, it was more on your body than it is now. Now, they want you to be fast, too. Last year, they just wanted us to be bulky -- we didn't really work on speed. But now we do and it's a big advantage for us."
