Colin Parker continuing to pursue his dream in his home town

Since being a standout at Hamilton High School and a four-year leader for Arizona State, it has been linebacker Colin Parker’s dream to follow his father’s footsteps and pursue a career as a professional football player.

Anthony Parker, Colin’s father, was Arizona football through and through as he attended McClintock High School, had a stand out career at cornerback for ASU and went on the play nine seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Minnesota Vikings.

Colin now has the opportunity to follow the exact same path working his way up the ranks all in Arizona to now getting the opportunity with the Cardinals.

“It was thrilling to go to ASU, it was the place I always dreamed of,” explained Parker. “To come here (OTAs with the Cardinals) is the same thing, it’s the home town team. I’ve been a big fan my whole life and it’s crazy that I’m getting this opportunity.”

For someone that has been a Cardinal fan his whole life there could be an element of awe involved with the fact he is playing with guys like Larry Fitzgerald and Darnell Dockett. Parker acknowledges that but knows it is something he doesn’t have a problem putting behind him.

A golden opportunity this is for Parker. But the work is just beginning and he is taking everything in out at Cardinals OTA’s to make sure he is ready if and when his name is called.”You realize once you talk to the guys that they are just normal guys,” Parker said. “You get over that wow factor pretty quick.”

“I am learning a lot, especially about defense,” explained Parker. “There is a lot more stuff than what I have had in the past and there is some technique a lot of the older guys help us out with.”

Colin Parker and the rest of the Cardinals continue OTA’s from Cardinals facility in Tempe for another week before the start of team mini-camps.

For more on the Cardinals, follow Jared Cohen on Twitter at @JaredPros2Preps.