Colin Parker adjusting from ASU to NFL

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — It was almost hard to recognize Colin Parker
on the football field during his first couple practices of his rookie
training camp. The former Arizona State Sun Devil wasn’t wearing
his usual maroon and gold uniform #21 — instead it has been
replaced by a red Arizona Cardinals jersey sporting #97.

And Parker is fashioning a beard that would impress San Francisco
Giants closer Brian Wilson.

“It’s been like two months, it’s nice,” Parker said following his first
full training camp practice as an NFL player Thursday. “I’m going to
let it go at least to the end of camp, and if I like it, I’ll keep it. If
not, I’ll take it off, but it lets me lazy through camp at least.”

Facial landscaping is the only way an undrafted rookie can display
laziness during training camp if he hopes to make the team.
Getting comfortable quickly is also key, and Parker feels pretty at
ease with what’s been presented so far.

“I feel pretty comfortable. We got a lot of work in during the OTAs
and mini-camps over summer, so I at least got exposed to most of
the defense,” Parker said. “Coming out here, I just have to get
adjusted to the speed and the physicality of the game.”

Heading into the 2011 college season, not many thought that
Parker would be headed to the NFL. The Chandler Hamilton High
School alum had started only five games in his first three seasons at
ASU. But as a senior, Parker was a defensive stalwart for the Sun
Devils, starting all 13 games and racking up a career-high 75
tackles. It was good enough to gain All-Pac-12 Honorable
Mention.

“Before my senior year I knew, depending on how my season went, I
had a shot,” he said. “I played well my whole year and coming
towards the end of the year I thought I might have a shot. As it
progressed in the offseason, I could tell I would get some interest.”

Although Parker is done wearing the Sun Devil pitchfork, he still
stays attentive to what’s happening with his former team amid the
transition led by new head coach Todd Graham.

“I’m trying to stay close and on top of it, I try to keep up with some
of my friends that are still there,” Parker said. “But at the same time
it’s hard — I’ve got my own stuff going on even though it’s only ten
to fifteen minutes away.

“I’m excited to see how they do this year and how the quarterback
battle shakes out. I think they’re going to do well this year.”

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