QB Kyle Parker (#11) may have thrown has last pass for Dabo Swinney and company as the MLB draft is calling his number
Clemson fans should be a bit concerned heading into spring practice regarding who will take snaps under center. QB Kyle Parker, who led the Tigers to their first ACC title game, may have thrown his last TD pass. Parker is now focusing on baseball as he is a standout outfielder on a team who is ranked as high as #15 in some preseason polls.
Currently, Parker is in his third season with the school’s baseball team. Some speculate he is entertaining the possibility of the MLB draft this June. If he elects to enter the draft and signs a contract, he will no longer be eligible to play college football.
Last season, Parker threw for 2,526 yards with 20 TDs and had a QB rating of 124. Comparatively, on the diamond, he hit .255 with 48 runs, 7 doubles, 12 homers, 52 RBIs and 6 steals in 63 games. Whether he selects baseball over football, Parker is clearly an outstanding dual-sport athlete. Parker won’t announce his final decision until after he is drafted. His decision will be based on where he gets taken in the draft.
At this juncture, Dabo Swinney and company will have to pull long hours (within NCAA guidelines) to get freshman Tajh Boyd up to speed as Boyd may find himself as the starter come September. The good news for Clemson is that the #4 QB prospect has the building blocks to be a great QB with uncanny poise in the pocket, great leadership ability, and knows how to make the 10 men around him better.
Only time will tell, but we will learn a lot about Clemson’s offense during spring practice.
