Nevada TE Parker Houston gives insight on commitment to San Diego State
Written by Ryan Wright
Edward C. Reed High School tight end Parker Houston exploded onto the recruiting scene in 2014 after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons playing center for the Raiders. The position switch turned out to work well for everyone involved seeing the Sparks, Nevada team finish the season 11-4 with a runner-up state championship finish behind Bishop Gorman.
The move proved to be especially fruitful for the 6’4”, 228 pound, athletic tight end. Not only able to contribute as a run blocker he ended up hauling in 40 passes for 525 yards scoring 10 touchdowns earning First-Team All-League, First-Team All-Region, Second-Team All-State, and Team co-Offensive Player of the Year honors. Interest began piling up from college recruiters with Louisville, UNLV, Oregon State, Utah State, Boise State, and Colorado State each reaching out to Parker and Toledo, Idaho, and San Diego State extending offers.
Parker visited San Diego State on June 16 after camping with Louisville on June 5, leading to a commitment to the Aztecs on Thursday.
In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview we got the inside scoop on Parker’s commitment to SDSU.
Parker, first, congratulations on committing to San Diego State.
“Thank you.”
What influenced you to commit when you did?
“The biggest factor that made me commit when I did was all family. They told that I shouldn’t wait for another opportunity because the one I already had was the best for me and I totally agree with them! I did not want the SDSU coaches to have to wait any longer because I had made up my mind while visiting.”
How did the commitment take place?
“The commitment took place will I was sitting at gate A26 in the Phoenix airport and I just decided that it was time. There was no need to wait any longer. It was the first time I have seen my Dad tear up and it made me tear up as well because I knew that I probably made the biggest decision of my life.”
Who did you commit to?
“I committed to Coach Jeff Horton (offensive coordinator) who is very familiar with the Reno/Sparks area. Coach Horton actually came by earlier in the year and what he said sparked sudden interest in me. But this was just my verbal commitment. I am actually committed to the whole coaching staff, football program, and academic program at SDSU.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“The feeling of committing to play D-I football at such a university is unexplainable. I just felt like my life got 100 times better now that I knew I had achieved a goal I never thought I could. From what Coach Horton told me I made the coaching staff’s summer and should’ve been able to hear their yelps and shouts all the way down in Arizona.”
Is there a sense of relief, that to some extent, your recruiting process is over?
“Oh yes… A big weight was just lifted off my shoulders as now there is no more question of where I am going to continue my life and athletic career. Yes I think recruiting for me is coming to an end but as I remember Coach Adam Hall said to me, “When you make a decision you stick with that decision and have no second thoughts about it!” And I will always remember that!”
Do you still plan to take your visits during your senior season?
“I would still like to take some visits during my senior year for the experience of it. I only get to do this once and I want to make sure I experience it to the fullest.”
Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?
“There is no other way to put it other than I just don’t feel like it is my job. Don’t get me wrong, I mean I would love to have some of my team and other players from the Northern Nevada region down in San Diego with me because of their outstanding talent and the belief that they could enhance any team, but it wouldn’t feel right to me.
“If I were to recruit some guys, even though I wouldn’t say I’m recruiting them, I would love to have Collin Crown (McQueen), Ian Cartidge and Lukas McKenzie (Reno), and Nick Gregg and Matt Denn (Reed). I think all these athletes would fit in well at SDSU. They all sure have the talent to play at the next level, especially my boy Matty Denn and Nick Gregg. (I’ve) got to talk up two of my best friends.”
Good luck at SDSU!
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Reno Gazette Journal; No. 84 Parker Houston