NFL DraftProspect Interviews

NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Kyrion Parker, WR, University of Central Missouri

Kyrion Parker is a big wide receiver with soft hands.

NFL Draft Diamonds has interviewed some of the best small schoolers to make it to the NFL.  Last year our team interviewed over 750 players from NAIA to the FBS.  This year we went to NFL teams scouts for every question on this interview.  Ten NFL scouts who are avid readers of Draft Diamonds put this interview together for our readers pleasure.  We hope you enjoy this interview, with another potential NFL draft prospect. 

  • Name: Kyrion Parker
  • Height: 6’4
  • Weight:204
  • Position: WR
  • College: University of Central Missouri
  • Twitter: @kyrionparker

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

  • Born in Illinois, lived in Houston for 10 years, call it home now. Houston area has great football, very competitive, and to me Texas in general has the best football talent. Many things to do and see in Houston, great sports City, and love the food, especially Kolaches and Tacos.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

  •  All 3 are import, 1. Practice/Film study 2. Strength and conditioning

What do you worry about, and why?

  • Family, especially my mom, Grandma, sister, my Dogs, and not being mediocre in football. My why is because my family has been through a lot, never knew my dad, he was killed when I was a baby, my mom and Grandma have been my rock. They have both been through a lot, my grandma survived a plane wreck, and my mom had a heart aneurysm, so she had heart surgery after a stroke. I know they both are strong and have been there for me through so much, my sister too. My dog MJ I miss him being away from home, family always on my mind. Football is my way to take my cares, feelings on the field, I feel free from everything on the field, especially worries. I never want to be mediocre 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

  • I feel like at times my journey from High School to college I’ve had some growing up to do. I feel like I failed from time I left Texas A&M, and through the transfer process after. I was struggling trying to find my way and didn’t make the best decisions and maybe too trusting of situations, I put too much trust into. I overcame, by learning from my mistakes, working hard, praying and not quitting, when at times I had many reasons to. #neverquit 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

  •  Coach Boda tells me I’m not a Diva, so that means a lot to me. I’d say teammates would say I put in work and take the game seriously

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

  • Best player in the few games I got to play against while at Texas A&M, was Fitzpatrick at Alabama 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

  •  I’m studying criminal justice at UCM, FBI is what I look to do, helping people in some way, giving me a sense of purpose outside of football. But I love art and do a lot of drawings as an outlet and told I’m good at, that’s if I can’t play football at the next level

Room, desk and car – which do you clean first?

  • My room is always clean, can’t stand mess, desk I don’t have one, and I don’t have a car either, one day. lol 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

  • That is a cruel question, but I’d save the 3 strangers, I love my family very much, but I think they know I’ll see them next place. I know 3 people have many more who need them too

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it? 

  • My biggest adversity was when I broke my collar bone my Junior year of High School, I was trying to make name for myself to get recruited. But, missed my whole junior year, so when I got diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at Texas A&M, I remember how much I had to overcome to get back to playing by my Senior year. I was able to mentally get through that, and work through Ulcerative Colitis to work my way back to playing football. It’s easier to explain a broken bone, or my clavicle, but Ulcerative Colitis people can’t see how it affects you. I had to learn not to worry what other’s think, take care of myself mentally and physically. Both have helped me be strong

What is your most embarrassing moment?

  • Embarrassing moment was when my mom gave me a haircut, and I had bald spots everywhere. I looked like a dog with mange

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

  • Most memorable moment, is when I set up a block for my teammate Devonte Tuner 

What song best describes your work ethic?

  •  Over my dead body, by Drake

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

  • Strong trait, I’d say is prayer, learned a lot about that over the years. That is something that is always needed, works for me. 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

  • My grandpa died when I was 3, he died in my grandparent’s plane wreck. I wish he could have been here to see me, and to be able to learn from. I know he looks after me.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

  • Happy Feet the name of my club.

Who is the most overrated player in the NFL? 

  • I think it takes a lot of hard work to make it to the NFL, a lot of talent. So, I don’t want to take away from that, but if I must answer I’d say Russell Wilson.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

  • I’d rather be respected, but respect is not always easy to earn. My grandma says your name is important, don’t disrespect yourself, and pawpa’s name Parker. 

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

  • Johnny Manziel, I played with Johnny, and knew what he’d been through while in school, and after. He is a good guy, and talented. I know he had it rough in many ways, people may not understand. I hoped he’d get a second chance at the NFL again. Johnny had a lot of pressure on him, and I understand that. He had quick success, and if not a good support system, and struggle with other issues, it can be hard.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

  • I hate to lose, I play hard and expect a lot from myself.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

  • I would say my mom, and wanna say grandma too. But, choosing one, my mom. She has been through so much, and not having a father figure, she has had to be both. She knows when I need space, but she rides me too. She tells me not to play the victim in life. Nothing will come easy, but no make no excuses. Just do all you can and let God do what you can’t. She is a single mom to my sister and me. We are both in college and she has worked at times 2 jobs. But through all she’s done through, she is always there for everyone, and for me especially. She’s a tough one, she inspires me not to quit, and there for me good, and bad.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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