Through the last three years. Adam Parker was on the minds of college football recruiters. When it came time to clear his mind, Parker settled on a coach he knew well at a school not too far away.
Parker, the productive quarterback at District 1-3A champion St. Mary’s, has accepted an offer to play at Southern Arkansas University just over the Arkansas-Louisiana border in Magnolia. He recently committed to the Muleriders and will make it official on Wednesday on the 2022 early National Signing Day.
Parker is signing with former Northwestern State offensive coordinator Brad Smiley, who took the SAU head coaching position last winter and led the Muleriders to a surprising 5-6 finish, including wins over rivals Henderson State and Arkansas-Monticello in league play. Both of Smiley’s children attended St. Mary’s, with son Ben a Tiger teammate of Parker’s until his graduation after the 2021 season.
“I am excited for Adam and his future,” said St. Mary’s coach Aaron York. “He is getting to continue his education and will be able to play a game that he loves. His success comes from the hard work that he has put in on the football field, in the weightroom and in the classroom.
“This opportunity is well deserved by Adam,” he said.
Parker piled up 1,994 yards passing in 11 games, an average of 181.3 per game, and threw 22 touchdown passes to only four interceptions. He completed 71 percent (143-202) of his passes and had a quarterback rating of 185.7.
Parker’s athletic ability was not restricted to passing. He ran for 335 yards and a 4.5 average per carry, scoring a team-best 12 rushing touchdowns on 74 attempts.
He combined rushing and passing for a total offense average of 211.7 yards per game.
Parker also played on the defensive side in the secondary, making 13.5 tackles, recovering a fumble, breaking up a pass and intercepting one.
The Tigers made playoff appearances in each year of Parker’s career as the Tigers’ quarterback.
Parker carries a perfect 4.0 grade point average and also plays basketball for the Tigers.
