Exclusive Interview: 3-Star 2021 Tennessee OL/DL William Parker-Griffin Releases Top 6 Schools List
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Going into the trenches, there is a point where technique for the opposition just does not cut when going against Class of 2021 offensive/defensive lineman William Parker (Griffin). Parker is not only strong as an ox but he is also technically savvy, quick, and ridiculously athletic for a 6-5, 325-pound, human. The Pearl-Cohn High School three-star recruit has the skill and talent to play either side of the ball at the next level, as evident by his 25 offers accumulated, but maybe destined to be a trench hog on offense for a Power 5 program in the coming years.
After Parker took it to 3A Tennessee squads in the Nashville area in 2019 earning All-League, All-Region, and All-Mid-State as an offensive lineman, the rush has been on for college programs trying to land him. His process is narrowing with a list of schools he wants to visit in the coming months and a Top 6 he is releasing via RNG in an exclusive interview.
Interview
William, the Firebirds had an amazing run during the 2019 season working really well together as a team, especially given all the close games. Looking back, how did that experience of tight games while playing a 16-game schedule help you grow and mature as a player on the field?
“It helped me a lot. Growing up, I have always been one of those kids that never lost. Every loss hurts. We lost in the second-round in 2018, that hurt super bad. After that, the goal was let’s get to state and be the best Pearl team ever. We revamped our schedule, against the independents, to make it tougher.
“Our coach thinks this is one of our best teams and classes in school history. Last season, we were young with just five seniors and a lot of underclassmen. That diversity pushed us over the edge. You had to grow up quick, and we learned that one mistake can cost us the game. Our strength of schedule makes us better and those shootouts made us better.”
Regardless of the side of the ball, you are a mauler with that great nasty streak inside of you. What motivates you to play at such a high level game after game, snap after snap?
“My motivation is my nephews; they are both babies. I have two brothers, and one is dead and the other nephew’s daddy is in jail. If we make it, if I play my hardest, they will be good in life. With them two, I want them to have a better life than me. You gotta do it. I am a competitive person and I hate to lose. When I step on the field, I’m a nice kid off but once I am on the field, all the anger it comes out on the field.”
Playing left tackle in the team’s scheme, how do you feel your overall game improved as a run and pass blocker?
“My game improved a lot, especially with pass blocking. Run blocking has been easy for me because I have a bigger body. It is easy for me to move them. I was playing right tackle and then our left tackle graduated. My QB and I have been together since Little League; I had to protect him. When I moved to left tackle, I learned all the steps, went to camps to learn more, and it got easier. I got to the point where I knew no one was getting past me. I am a fast learner, and I like to pass block now.”
Did you track pancakes and/or knockdowns last season?
“No, sir.”
If you had to guess, about how many per game were you getting?
“About six or seven per game. At least, maybe more.”
On defense, your power and ability to shed blocks parted O-lines like the Red Sea. What were some of the other strengths to your game as an interior defensive lineman?
“As a D-lineman, one thing most people did not know, I had not played it before. Most people think I am slow, but I am an athletic guy. I am big and my get off is good, there is a fear factor too. I can rip through and past everyone when I am on defense. They underestimate my speed and my get off. In crunch time, I go to defensive end. Me being an offensive tackle, no other offensive tackle can guard me as a defensive end, I know what is going on and what you have to do. I know how to beat it.”
Given your strength on the field, how is that translating in the weight room with your maxes?
“We do our maxes different than most, it is not the highest weight we can do but it is a rep max. On bench I did 225 pounds 10 times, my squat was 315 pounds 13 times, and my power clean was 215 pounds 10 times. My lower body is super strong and I am working hard on my upper body.”
Where are we going to see you on the field in 2020?
“All the same positions.”
To prepare for that, what have you been working on with your game on offense this spring?
“We are doing more power running this season, so I have been working on coming out of a two-point stance. This season, we will use our speed to our advantage as an offense. We are getting down as offensive line this season. Our offensive game will be more unpredictable. We are keeping low, run blocking out of a two-point doing a lot of inside zone blocking.”
And on defense, what have you been working on?
“I have been working on staying low and keeping my pad level down. When I stand up, a running back can get past me. If I play defense in college, I have to stay low and drive through the offensive lineman. I am working on keeping my hips low and my power rush moves.”
Do you have a favorite position on the field?
“I like playing left tackle a lot.”
Any chance you might compete at any college camps this summer if they happen?
“This year, I may be done with camps. I want to try to take visits this summer instead of going to camps.”
Makes sense. In all, how many offers are you holding?
“In all I have about 25 offers.”
Parker-Griffin’s Reported Offer Sheet: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Tulane, and Virginia
Which programs were the last few to offer?
“The last offer was from Georgia, by their offensive line coach and this was during school. Ole Miss and Indiana were the other two.”
At which position are you being offered by most programs?
“As a left tackle/offensive lineman.”
Going back the last few months, did you get to take any visits?
“No, sir. I was planning on going to Oklahoma first, then drive up to Ohio State, Kentucky, Louisville, and Tennessee. We were going to take a break and then visits Alabama, Georgia, and Florida but all of that was cancelled.”
What is the plan with your visits this summer and going into the fall for officials and/or unofficials?
“I will try to go to Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisville; I will try to get them as official visits.”
Given your recruiting status, are you going to put out a Top Schools List?
“I can outright say Kentucky, Louisville, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida are my top schools right now.”
Nice. Do you have a commitment date in mind?
“I will try to do it after my birthday on Sept. 1.”
Will, it was great getting time in with you today. I hope you can take those visits this summer in time for a commitment around your birthday. And good luck with the rest of your workouts this summer.
“Thank you.”
**Playing part-time on defense in 2019, Parker racked up 26 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, and four sacks
Photo credit: Pearl HS/Parker-Griffin family; Will Parker in action (2019)