From KTUL —
To die-hard football fans and the less than casual ones too, the punter can be the most unappreciated position on the field. But those players that are good enough will still play in the NFL just the same.
University of Tulsa senior punter Dalton Parks finished his college career on a high-note. The Golden Hurricane won the Miami Bowl to cap a 10-win 2016 season. But Parks isn't ready to give up football just yet.
There are 32 NFL teams; therefore 32 starting punters. And even then, a free agent is just a phone call away from replacing one. And Dalton believes it could just as easily be him in the mix.
"Guys always talk about how they want to get to the NFL," Parks explained. "To me, it's more than that.
"I feel like I want to make it in the NFL. I've never been through it so I don't know what it takes. But if you train yourself with no ceiling. And try to get as good as you can without getting complacent."
And the conditioning is about much more than just seeing how high one can punt the ball.
"A lot of it is taking care of your body; a lot of grueling work," said Parks. "There's a lot of stretching. Yoga is your best friend. Just staying hydrated and staying in game shape. Because you could go out there and not sign to a team. But then a team could call you when they need you and you'd have to be ready.
While he's not in class at the TU during the week, Parks has spent a couple weekends in different major cities to showcase his skills to potential suitors.
Only a handful of punters, kickers, and long snappers are invited to the NFL combine each year. Dalton wasn't. However, it's worth noting that a majority of all three positions that actually start in the league were never even drafted.
With that in mind, Parks is willing to be patient and do whatever it takes.
"I'm really just excited to capitalize on my opportunities here soon in the future," Parks said. "I'm excited to punt in front of some special teams coaches and show them I can be their man."
To die-hard football fans and the less than casual ones too, the punter can be the most unappreciated position on the field. But those players that are good enough will still play in the NFL just the same.
University of Tulsa senior punter Dalton Parks finished his college career on a high-note. The Golden Hurricane won the Miami Bowl to cap a 10-win 2016 season. But Parks isn't ready to give up football just yet.
There are 32 NFL teams; therefore 32 starting punters. And even then, a free agent is just a phone call away from replacing one. And Dalton believes it could just as easily be him in the mix.
"Guys always talk about how they want to get to the NFL," Parks explained. "To me, it's more than that.
"I feel like I want to make it in the NFL. I've never been through it so I don't know what it takes. But if you train yourself with no ceiling. And try to get as good as you can without getting complacent."
And the conditioning is about much more than just seeing how high one can punt the ball.
"A lot of it is taking care of your body; a lot of grueling work," said Parks. "There's a lot of stretching. Yoga is your best friend. Just staying hydrated and staying in game shape. Because you could go out there and not sign to a team. But then a team could call you when they need you and you'd have to be ready.
While he's not in class at the TU during the week, Parks has spent a couple weekends in different major cities to showcase his skills to potential suitors.
Only a handful of punters, kickers, and long snappers are invited to the NFL combine each year. Dalton wasn't. However, it's worth noting that a majority of all three positions that actually start in the league were never even drafted.
With that in mind, Parks is willing to be patient and do whatever it takes.
"I'm really just excited to capitalize on my opportunities here soon in the future," Parks said. "I'm excited to punt in front of some special teams coaches and show them I can be their man."
