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Germantown's Parks headed to Pitt

When a kid's a player, it doesn't take long to notice. Early in this football offseason, Germantown High assistant Kelly Cottle sent tapes of athlete Will Parks to approximately 35 colleges.

When a kid's a player, it doesn't take long to notice.

Early in this football offseason, Germantown High assistant Kelly Cottle sent tapes of athlete Will Parks to approximately 35 colleges.

"Pitt said they watched me on tape for only 3 minutes, then called coach Kelly right away," Parks said.

Moving ahead . . . to roughly a month ago.

"We were having a training session up at Germantown's field," Parks said. "Two of Pitt's assistants, coach [Michael] Norvell and coach [Tony] Gibson, were there because, even though tapes are good, they still like to see a guy in person.

"We were doing a backpedaling drill. I did it twice, just two times, and they called me to the sideline. Offered me the scholarship right there."

While at Pitt on Saturday, the 6-2, 180-pound Parks, a rusher, receiver, returner and cornerback, made his oral commitment. The Panthers were one of six schools to offer, joining Temple, New Mexico, Connecticut, Buffalo and Stony Brook.

Parks, who lives near 2nd and Lindley in Olney, last season produced 795 yards of rushing/receiving for the youthful Bears. He also made a team-high three interceptions and his projected Panther position will be cornerback.

Cottle said three other G-towners - rusher Ackeno Robinson, wideout/CB Myles Brooker and tackle Kwame Miller - are receiving at least I-AA interest.

Parks is highly impressed with coach Pitt's head coach Todd Graham.

"I can tell he's a man who's about his word," Parks said. "He wants you to do well as a player and person. He's big on integrity, character and discipline. He wants you to have faith in yourself.

"I asked a lot of questions. Spoke with players and just regular students. The answers I got from everybody showed me how cool this place is. Just a real nice environment. And it's not real, real far away, so my family and friends will be able to see me play.

"I have an excellent feeling about all this. And I'm thankful to my dad [William McLeod] and my mom [Nyerere Parks] and coach Kelly and coach Hawkins [Mike, of Germantown] and the coaches with the Wissahickon youth team . . . to everybody who helped make this happen for me. They need to know how much I appreciate it."