Redshirt freshman wide receiver Kyle Parker met with the media on Tuesday. He covered his first college touchdown, Brian Kelly’s dance moves and playing with “the best quarterback in the nation”.
On his first touchdown as a Tiger…
I was in the slot in the boundary. I saw it was man coverage, so I was kind of expecting the ball already, so I knew I had to win. I knew (quarterback Garrett Nussmeier) was going to look at me quick to get the ball out, and I won on my route. I made a play on the ball and got in the end zone. That’s what they brought me here to do as a wide receiver, so I did what I was supposed to do. Nuss put the ball on the money, as everyone can see, and I just had to go make a play. I’m thankful that I scored my first touchdown in Tiger Stadium. It was a surreal moment.
On the elbow injury setting back his progress…
I got a little banged up in the USC game. I had a good fall camp. With football comes injuries and everything so you get banged up. I just had to keep a positive outlook. I knew I wasn’t going to be playing, so I had to make sure I was locked in looking at all the plays and everything and not losing my head and getting away from the game of football. Even though I was hurt, I just had to keep a positive mindset. I knew with the opportunity that I was going to get I needed to make the best of it, so I feel like I’m trying to maximize the opportunity.
On his strengths as a receiver…
Route running. That’s what I take pride in a lot. I’ve been doing training since I was a young kid, sixth grade, route running wise. I’ve always worked on that. Then just the strength I can play with. I think that helps me a lot, too. I’m more of a built receiver, you could say, so I like to play with my strength and use it. That helps me a lot.
On one attribute that another LSU wide receiver has that he’d like…
Maybe I would say, better jump ball skills. I mean, I think I have pretty good jump ball skills as it is right now, but I mean I’m not the biggest receiver already. I know as a big receiver, you’re going to be a jump ball guy. I’m a smaller one, so just jump ball ability I would say I would take from somebody else.
On taking tips from older players like Zavion Thomas and Aaron Anderson…
I would say we all complement each other. Us, being small receivers, you gotta maneuver your way through the defenses, different releases and everything, so being a smaller receiver is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time, but you just always gotta find a way through the defense and get open.
On the passing game being the strength of the offense…
Coach Hankton always emphasizes the receiver room brings the energy to the team. So us, as a receivers room, we’re always trying to come out and make the big play. As the offense goes, we go. We say that all the time. Every time we get out there, we’re trying to make a big play to get in the end zone.
On playing for Cortez Hankton…
It’s great playing for him. He’s a great guy, great coach. That’s one of the main reasons I came to this school. I feel like he’s a good personal coach. He can relate to a lot of things, and he’s not going to be a big rah-rah guy, but he’ll tell you what you need to know and keep it straightforward with you. Make sure you handle your business with him, and he’ll get you the opportunities you need.
On Brian Kelly critiquing his touchdown dance moves…
Actually, at practice today he told me today he was going to teach me some dance moves in the endzone, but I told him he should take some notes on me. I’ll teach him some dances moves. I thought I had a pretty good celebration.
On playing with Garrett Nussmeier…
It’s been great. He’s a big Texas guy like me, so we come from the same area. He’s been in backup quarterback position for three years, so I feel like he’s been able to sit back and watch and take notes from everybody else and improve his game. He’s come out here and played very well and produced, putting the ball on the money and making the right reads. I love him at quarterback, and I think he’s the best quarterback in the nation, so it’s been great playing with him.
