2020 OL Walker Parks Hoping To Add Another Major Offer

Walker Parks‍ allowed himself to imagine receiving scholarship offers from the nation’s premier programs. Even at his most optimistic though, the 2020 Kentucky offensive lineman envisioned himself just being in a position to earn those offers toward the end of the process.

That timetable was sped up dramatically earlier this month, when Parks left a Clemson camp with an offer from the Tigers.

“It was unbelievable,” Parks told Irish Sports Daily this week. “Heading into this, schools like Clemson and Notre Dame, I was hoping maybe I could get my name on their radar and it could lead to something in the future or come back junior year and maybe senior year that could lead to an offer or something.

“To get an offer like that as a sophomore, just going into my junior year, it’s incredible, it’s unbelievable. I have that same respect for Notre Dame. If they were to offer as a sophomore, that’s unreal almost to me.”

The Lexington native will have a chance to impress the Irish this weekend, when he works out at their Lineman’s Challenge Camp on Saturday.

“I haven’t been able to work with them yet,” Parks said. “They’ve seen my film and everything, but watching film is completely different than working with somebody in person. I think they’ll be able to see my athleticism when it comes to playing offensive line and what I have to offer.”

The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder said the experience at Clemson “definitely” gives him confidence heading into South Bend.

“I know that puts a lot on the table for other schools,” he added. “I already got a lot of attention from other schools just days after with Clemson being one of the biggest powerhouses in sports and academics, so that’s caught a lot of attention from other schools.”

Parks, who also has offers from schools like Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Purdue, and Vanderbilt, made a quick stop at Notre Dame back in March, but NCAA rules have prevented much extended dialogue since.

“It’s been pretty dead recently,” he said. “Since I’m 2020, they can’t really reach out to me and I’m not a big talker on the phone. Unless coaches want me to call them, I’m not going to call just to have reassurance that I’m coming.

“But nothing has changed, I’m still receiving a lot of interest from them and there’s a lot of interest from me. I’ve been looking forward to it and training for it. I think I’m ready for it.”

This weekend’s trip will be his last camp of the season.

“After Notre Dame, I am done,” he said. “I’m going into the dead period and I’m going to start training to focus on the season.”

But he’s looking forward to hitting the road again this fall.

“I know for sure I want to go to Kentucky to watch a game. I definitely want to go to Clemson and I for sure want to see a game at Notre Dame. Other schools too, but so far those are three I’ve told my dad I want to set in stone.”