It's easy to spot Carson High's Jon Parker on the football field. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he boasts a body and has the speed that attracts attention.
Parker, a starter since his sophomore season, has already attracted plenty of attention. He's received a solid scholarship offer from UNLV. Cal, Northern Arizona, Fresno State, Nevada, Division II Abilene Christian, New Mexico and the University of Arizona also have shown some interest. It's the first time in many years that a Carson player has attracted so much Division I interest.
"He's pretty unique," said Jim Franz, Carson's defensive coordinator. "He has great size and speed, and you don't see too many guys like that."
Indeed.
Parker has the skills to be a tight end, linebacker or a pass-rushing defensive end. Heck, he could probably add some pounds to his frame and be an offensive lineman.
The extra attention hasn't seemed to faze Parker in the slightest. He's already indicated that he won't make a decision until after Carson's football season is completed.
"He's gotten a lot of attention and I feel like he's stayed grounded, and a lot of credit for that goes to his parents," said head coach Blair Roman, whose team meets Del Campo in the season opener for both schools today at 7 p.m. at Carson. "He's definitely concerned about his senior year."
In fact, Parker said he hasn't even scheduled any recruiting visits, though he's been to Fresno State, UNLV, Abilene Christian and Nevada for football camps.
"I'm still keeping in communication with the schools every once in a while," Parker said. " I'm just going to play my senior season and see what happens.
"I know my dad is pushing me to go to Abilene Christian. That's where he grew up."
Despite the attention, Parker still feels he has a a lot to prove.
"I didn't have the kind of year I was expecting," Parker said about last year. "Getting injured at the football camp at South Tahoe and missing the first three games hurt. I never got to where I wanted to be physically.
"I want to make less mental mistakes and help put the team in position to win games. Those are my goals."
Besides the injury, he had to deal with the tragic death of his 18-year-old brother, Alex, who died in a car accident last October right before the game against rival Douglas. Nobody would have blamed Parker if he decided to miss the game, but he played that night and the two playoff games to finish the season.
"I played in every game afterward," he said. "I probably played a little harder because I was mad. It was easier for me. I was just playing football. I used it as a distraction, so I wasn't always thinking of the accident."
Parker has spent last spring and this summer learning a new position - wingback. He'll be playing the same spot Luke Carter played last year.
"It's definitely fun," Parker said. "I like it because I know I'm going to get the ball and get to do some fun stuff on offense. Hopefully I'll be doing some scoring myself.
"I see myself as a distraction in the passing game. I'm not going to be the first or second option that the quarterback looks at. If the quarterback is being pressured, I'll be the check-down guy. There are some running plays that will be called for me."
Roman said the position has changed a bit since he first started using the offense.
"It (the position) has kind of turned into a hybrid tight end," Roman said. "Trying to find a physical blocker who can also catch the ball and can be a running back at times; a triple-threat kind of guy. He's a super athlete. He has good speed and his strength is outstanding."
It could be interesting to see Parker take a hand-off and get matched up with a 180-pound cornerback or safety. The result could be ugly.
On defense, Parker will play defensive end. A year ago, he had 30-plus tackles and several sacks despite missing the first three games of the season. Expect those numbers to double this season.
"I think he can be pretty dominating defensively," Franz said. "He has the skills. It's going to come down to mental preparation."
Roman said how Parker is used on defense will depend on what kind of offenses the Senators are facing.
"If we see a running team (like Del Campo) his primary focus will be stopping the run," Roman said. "If we're facing a passing team, we'll turn him loose."
There's nothing that would make Parker happier than lowering the boom on an opposing quarterbacks. It's what defensive ends live for.