Evaluating 3 underrated recruits visiting Texas football this summer

Kyle Parker, WR

A target of the Longhorns 2023 class that came front and center a few months ago is the under-the-radar three-star Lovejoy wide receiver Kyle Parker. Texas is one of a few schools in the mix right now in the race to land a commitment from Parker. The Louisville Cardinals, SMU Mustangs, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Arkansas Razorbacks are some worth mentioning in the mix for Parker.

At the moment, though, Texas and Louisville are the only schools that have Parker on the books for official visits next month.

But it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest to see Parker get an official visit on the books with head coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten before even the end of the week. Penn State made a big move with Parker throughout the spring.

And the Mississippi State Bulldogs could be a school on the rise to watch among the top group for Parker.

Moreover, it will be interesting to see where the recruitment of Parker goes this summer. Knowing that Parker could be announcing his commitment this summer, Sark and new wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Brennan Marion will have to make their own decision on his spot in this class before too long.

Texas is after a number of blue-chip wide receivers and Parker might be on the outside looking in right now.

That’s why I want to mention a few points to consider as to the case that Parker has to get a spot in the Longhorns 2023 class.

First and foremost, Parker is going to be one of the fastest wideouts that the Longhorns can find among in-state recruits for this cycle. Parker runs a 100-meter dash time firmly under 11 seconds. He’s also got a sub-23 second 200-meter dash time under his belt in running track and field.

Parker is a very gifted track athlete that goes to show just how much of a weapon he could be for this offense.

Given the gifted physical tools that the 5-foot-10 and 175-pound Parker brings to the table, he could be a nice fit theoretically in Sark’s offense. His speed might be too difficult to ignore for this staff.

Secondly, Parker is a crisp route runner and is excellent and making opposing tacklers miss in the open field. This builds off the previous point given that Parker is a very potent slot receiver thanks to his physical tools. Parker has good hands, runs a consolidated but effective route tree, and has the ability to be a big-play threat anytime he gets the ball in his hands.

On the other hand, though, Parker’s chances at getting a spot in the Longhorns 2023 class definitely took a hit when Sark and Marion landed a commitment from the touted four-star Aldine Eisenhower (TX) wide receiver Ryan Niblett.

Word on the street right now seems to be that the time is dwindling down on the possibility of Parker joining the Longhorns 2023 class, especially with the heightened interest this spring from Louisville and Penn State.

Yet, the speed and scheme fit for Parker with Sark and the Longhorns still makes it very possible that this staff is very interested in getting him in the mix in this class. That makes this June official visit with the Longhorns paramount to his status with the 2023 class.