The Clemson QB few are talking about: Kyle Parker

By Robert Rousseau  |   Monday, March 02, 2009  |  Comments( 4 )

 Clemson Tigers
It's fair to say Clemson Tigers backup quarterback Willy Korn has the best chance of earning the starting job for 2009. But there’s been a lot of press regarding new recruit Tajh Boyd, who many believe will push Korn as a true freshman. Of course, to forget about the player whom Rivals believed was the 10th-best pro-style recruit of 2008 might...
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CommentsComments: 4
 No.1
RazzMaTazz		 04:27 PM
03/02/2009
Kyle Parker and Tajh Boyd are both listed at 6' 0", though Boyd is 15 pounds heavier at 205. Korn is 6' 2", 205 lbs. While Wade and Richt are 6-1, and 6-2 respectively. I don't think that 1 or 2 inches is going to make much difference relative to everything else-- especially poise, pocket presence, scrambling, ability, leadership, vision, and ability to pick apart the secondary without forcing interceptions. The average NFL QB height is 6' 2" but there are several starters that are no taller than 6'. Clemson quarterbacking great, Woody Dantzler was only 5' 10". Like Dantzler, Parker, Boyd, and Korn all have wheels. I read that Parker has the best arm- and a rifle at that. I have a feeling that Parker may surprise a lot of people and win the starting job.

But I have a feeling that if the competition is close, the coaches may favor Korn over Parker for two reasons: 1) Korn is more likely to stick around for the next 3 years which makes him a worthwhile investment, whereas Parker (who is unlikely to be a high draft pick at 6') is a risk to bolt for the MLB in 2 years. 2) Korn is a local hero so many fans (especially the home crowds) and boosters will be more supportive of Korn and more negative on Parker or Boyd. So many fans will overlook mistakes made by Korn, but complain loudly about any mistakes made by Parker, Boyd, et al. Consequently the coaches will be under pressure from the fans and boosters to play Korn (though, of course, they'll be under more pressure to win.) I guess that the coaches are secretly hoping that Korn wins the QB competition hands-down so that they can play Korn in good conscience while keeping the fans and boosters happy. I'll bet the coaches would hate to have to make a decision (and would be reluctant) to play Parker or Boyd (or Wade or Richt) if the are better than Korn-- especially if they're just slightly better. They'd be second-guessed at every loss.

I think it wil be too hard for Boyd to start as a true freshman but then again, Tyrelle Pror did it at Ohio State (though Pryor is an exceptional athrlete who didn't have his ACL repaired in the off-season.) But if Boyd doesn't get the starting job, then whoever gets it will probably keep it for 2-3 years due to their experience advantage. An interesting scenario would be Parker winning the job and then bolting after 2 seasons for MLB, giving a redshirted Boyd a shot at 3 full years at the starting job. (This assumes that Korn gets beat out, which is unlikely.)

It sure is nice to have 3 top QB recruits (and 2 serviceable, potentially surprising QBs) competing for the job. The QB options at Clemson have been pretty weak over the last several years. I haven't been a big fan of any of Clemson's recent immobile, limited-pocket-presence QBs, like Harper, Proctor, & Whitehurst. The last Clemson QB that I liked was the athletic and electrifying Woody Dantzler (who had a weak supporting cast). I think Parker, Boyd, and Korn have the ability to be as good or better than Dantzler. It would be interesting to see what Clemson would be like with a top shelf QB, a decent OC, and a supporting cast. Not sure if Napier fits the bill at OC, but we'll find out.
 No.2
jmbarf		 10:59 PM
04/11/2009
Razzmatazz, what are you talking about they all have wheels. Parker is the only one of the three that have anything that resembles wheels at the quaterback position. He is the closest you are going to get to a dual threat quarterback with a white guy man.
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