In-state tight end earns AU offer

AUBURN | Michael Parker had an opportunity to impress Auburn’s coaches during a half-day camp Saturday afternoon.

He made the most of it.

Parker, a tight end from Westminster Christian in Huntsville, earned an offer from Auburn after putting on one of the top performances of the day.

“I’m definitely excited about it,” Parker said of the offer. “It’s my first SEC offer, my biggest offer so far.”

The offer came after Parker, who is 6-foot-6 and weighs 230 pounds, ran a hand-timed 4.6-second 40-yard dash, broad jumped 10 feet 3 inches and had a 32.2-inch vertical leap. He also was dominant in 1-on-1s against defensive backs.

“I thought I did pretty good,” Parker said. “It was really good competition.”

Parker worked individually with Auburn coach Gus Malzahn during one portion of the camp. Again, the tight end impressed as he ran routes and caught nearly every ball thrown his way with Malzahn directing the drill.

“(Malzahn) thought I did a really good job of competing,” Parker said. “He said he tried to tire me out to see what my personality was and how I compete.”

Malzahn apparently was pleased. He notified Parker of the offer soon after the camp ended.

Auburn joined a long list of offers that includes Purdue, Central Florida, South Florida, Southern Miss, Troy, Arkansas State and South Alabama.

“(Auburn is) definitely high up on my list,” Parker said. “I’ll be back for sure.”

Parker also has high interest in Purdue, South Florida and Central Florida. He plans to visit both South Florida and Central Florida this summer.

Parker played tight end as a junior, his first year playing the position, and finished with 35 receptions for 561 yards and five touchdowns.

“Not sure about a timetable, but I’m not in a rush,” Parker said. “I’m still taking everything in, enjoying the process.”

Parker, who has two older brothers playing at Alabama, also is a standout in basketball and track and field.