"It feels good," added Nick Parker. "I am relieved. I am ain't
going to lie. It is a relief, but I am shocked at the same. I was surprised
I finally made it."
The Dandy Dozen squad is arguable the most prestigious team given out to the
Mississippi players, but Nicholas "Big" Parker thinks he has the game
that warrants it.
"I worked hard to be in this position. I had to do my time and sit behind
Tig (Barksdale), and I rushed for 2, 500 yards in my first season as the starter.
This year, I am shooting for 4, 000 yards. People laugh when I say that, but
that is my goal."
Nick is up to a rock solid 215 pounds after a rigorous offseason in the gym,
and he is expecting an even bigger season this year due to two factors.
"Experience and my footwork is just a whole lot better now. I really worked
on my quickness this offseason. That was the big knock on me from the experts.
They said I was not quick enough to play tailback on the SEC level, so I took
it to heart, and really worked on my quickness. I think this year people are
going to say I am a complete back."
Parker did more than just bully his way for three yards and a cloud of dust
last season as he had double digit carries last year that went for over 40 yards
and scored four touchdowns last season from 60 yards or longer.
"I think people knew I could go north and south, but they didn't think
I could go east and west. I am not going to change my running style. I will
always be a one cut runner, but if I have to, I now have the ability to make
you miss."
The 2008 1st Team All-State selection has not made it to any camps this summer,
but he hopes to attend two instate camps this month.
"I am thinking about going to MSU and Ole Miss on July 24th and 25th. Nothing
is definite right now but those are my plans."
One might think that the two instate SEC colleges hold the upper hand, but that
might not be the case.
"I feel like Tennessee (offer) and LSU (offer) are recruiting me the hardest,
but I would say that LSU and Ole Miss (offer) are my top schools right now."
What attracts Nick to LSU?
"It is just a good school that focuses on how to win."
And Ole Miss?
"They are moving on up and learning how to win. Plus, my family can come
watch all of my games if I went to Ole Miss."
What are his thoughts on MSU?
"They have some pretty good coaches."
Has Parker given any thought on a timeframe on a decision?
"It will probably be sometimes after the season."