Seattle, WA– The prototype tight end is tall with solid length, not as heavy as a lineman, and not as light as a wide receiver, and can possess a several skills that can benefit an offense in several ways. Like Rob Gronkowski’s who had the ability to block and become a receiver, or like Shannon Sharpe, the big play prototype that you can use to stretch the middle of the field.
The talent pool of tight end is far and wide in variety depending on what the offense is calling for, and Donald Parham is the perfect fit for Hal Mumme’s air raid attack.
Donald Parham started his football journey differently from what you would expect. Parham lettered in basketball at Lake Gibson High School (FL), and played one year of high school football in which he recorded 13 receptions for 234 yards.
Instead of pursuing his hoop dreams he opted to further his interest in football, and made the decision to attend Stetson University. Parham did not see much action as a freshman while appearing in 4 games.
In his sophomore year, Parham’s role increased in the offense and he finished the year with 37 receptions 455 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. From his junior through his senior season Donald Parham recorded a total of 143 receptions 2,136 receiving yards and scored 14 of his 20 career receiving touchdowns. During his senior season he also averaged 146.6 yards and 9 receptions per game which led the entire FCS.
Parham went undrafted but later signed with the Detroit Lions was waived in May 2019. Then he signed with the Washington Redskins after a mini camp tryout and was later released before the beginning of the 2019 season, just in time for the XFL to come in and scoop him up and invite him to the draft.
The Dallas Renegades selected Parham in the ninth round of the first ever XFL Draft, and during training camp Parham and Sean Price were close in camp but Parham got the nod from the Renegades coaching staff before the season kicked off.
During the week 1 match up against the St.Louis Battlehawks, while Philip Nelson filled in for injured Landry Jones, and Parham was the #1 option which the Renegades finished the drive with a field goal to take the lead before halftime. Parham finished the game with the second most receptions (4) and second most receiving yards (40).
The 6’8 tight end capitalized on his performance in the first week. With Landry Jones returning to the lineup the Renegades turned up the heat against the LA Wildcats and the team was able to produce over 300 passing yards. Parham was a big part of the win and led receivers in yards and put the only touchdown on the board in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 5 receptions 76 yards 1 touchdown and averaged 15 yards per reception.
Parham put the XFL on notice in his performance against the Seattle Dragons. He was clearly one of the better players on the field and it was noticeable. With 8:58 left in the fourth quarter Parham helped the Renegades seal the deal in Seattle being on the back end of a 65 yard Landry Jones touchdown pass putting Dallas up 21-12 over the Dragons. Parham finished the game with 5 receptions 101 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
Through 3 weeks of XFL play Parham and the Renegades are 2-1 and set to face the Houston Roughnecks next Sunday at Globe Life Park. There have been questions surrounding the Renegades and what type of offense it would become ultimately. They have a solid foundation having one of the better offensive lines in the XFL, a solid running back group, and talented wide receiver group, and the former basketball stud turned XFL star lining up outside of the tackles on Saturdays and Sundays.
Yes, we can talk about PJ Walker, Cam Phillips, Landry Jones, or Cardale Jones, but you have to think that after the string of performances Parham has put together so far , he is becoming a household name amongst Renegade fans and XFL fans everywhere.
