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12 DAYS TO 2017 KICKOFF: AJ Parker

In which BracketCat counts down the 12th day until the 2017 kickoff with a profile of defensive back AJ Parker.

#12 Ty Zimmerman
Ty Zimmerman was the last prominent K-State defensive back to wear No. 12. Now AJ Parker has taken over those digits, although the young cornerback is less likely to be running back punts.
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Goal No. 12: NO SELF-LIMITATIONS. Expect more of yourself.

#12 AJ Parker

Redshirt Freshman | 5-11 | 166 lbs. | Bartlesville, Oklahoma
AJ Parker
AJ Parker
Courtesy Kansas State Athletics
  • Position: Defensive Back
  • Previous College: None
  • Projection: Second-String
  • Status: On Scholarship

Arlando Dwayne Parker Jr. (b. Feb. 15, 1998) is a promising young defensive back from Oklahoma who developed throughout the 2016 season. He will complete for playing time as a redshirt freshman after redshirting in 2016.

Parker was a three-year starter at cornerback and wide receiver for head coach John McKee and Bartlesville High School.

He was named to the USA Today Sports/American Family Insurance All-USA Oklahoma Team as a defensive back following his senior campaign, in addition to earning All-State honors from The Oklahoman, The Tulsa World and the Oklahoma Coaches Association.

Parker also had honorable mention All-State accolades as a junior in 2014.

He helped to lead the Bruins to a 10-2 record and a trip to the semifinals of the Oklahoma Class 6A-II state playoffs in 2015, and also hauled in 65 passes for 1,253 yards and 17 touchdowns between his junior and senior seasons.

Parker, who was selected to play in the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State football game, also was a three-year starter in basketball, earning all-area honors, and participated in track and field, placing third in the state meet in the high jump as a sophomore and junior.