Fansided

DeVante Parker the forgotten man in Louisville Cardinals’ rise to prominence

By Jason Marcum

Apr 13, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals Red Team wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs the ball against the White Team during the spring game at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals Red Team wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs the ball against the White Team during the spring game at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
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The rise of the Louisville Cardinals football program started when Teddy Bridgewater arrived on the Louisville campus, and in just two years, he’s become one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football, and already looks like a lock for the top-10 in next year’s NFL Draft.

In two years, Louisville’s record has improved from 7-6 to 11-2, including a win vs. the Florida Gators in the Sugar Bowl. Much of the credit for their rise has deservingly gone to Bridgewater, but there’s another player who was part of Teddy’s class, and will be a huge factor in how far the Cards can go this year.

Apr 13, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals Red Team wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs the ball against the White Team during the spring game at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals Red Team wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs the ball against the White Team during the spring game at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

DeVante Parker is Bridgewater’s favorite target, and he could easily join him in declaring for the NFL Draft next year.

After leading the team with six touchdown receptions as a true freshman, the 6-3, 205 lb wideout delivered one of the best seasons by UL receiver ever last year s with 40 catches, 744 yards, and a ridiculous 10 touchdowns as a sophomore last year. Of Parker’s 40 catches last season, 13 went for 20 or more yards and seven of his 10 scores were also 20+ yards or more. Parker is an elite redzone target, and can out-physical most cornerbacks in college football, and outside of a double-team, is as close to an unguardable receiver as you’ll see this year.

He, along with his fellow receiving-mates were ranked #7 in Athlon Sports’ College Football’s Top 25 Wide Receiving Corps for 2013:

"Helping quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s Heisman campaign is the American Athletic Conference’s best receiving corps. DeVante Parker averaged 18.6 yards per catch last season and has 16 touchdown catches over the last two years. Senior Damian Copeland led the Cardinals with 50 receptions in 2012, while Eli Rogers returns after grabbing 46 catches. This group will be even deeper in 2013, as Louisville is gaining the services of a couple of transfers – tight end Gerald Christian and receiver Robert Clark. Freshman James Quick is expected to play some snaps at receiver and will help on returns."

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