One of multiple top-end targets from Illinois, defensive tackle Brayden Parks made his first visit down to Miami’s campus this past weekend. The Brother Rice product was one of the top lineman in the country last season en route to a state championship, causing havoc with his power and 300-pound frame. I caught up with him following his unofficial visit, here’s everything Parks had to say about UM.
Recapping his overall experience:
“It was great. You know, it was my first time being down here, and I didn’t really expect too much, but it blew me out of the water, I’m going to be real.”
“The campus is beautiful, the facilities are beautiful, the coaches are great—it was just an overall great trip.”
On what stood out watching Miami practice:
“It was intense—very intense. Every coach was locked into the drills and really invested in the players, putting in time and energy. It was very physical. You can tell Miami is getting back to what they used to be.”
On his relationship with the coaching staff:
“I’d say my relationship with them really started back in January. That’s when they began recruiting me heavily. Now that I’ve made it down here, I think it’s on the rise and it’s just going to keep getting better as we talk more every day. Coach Cristobal, Coach Lewis, and Coach Taylor—they’ve all been great.
On current players he has a relationship with:
“Me, Justin Scott and Marquise Lightfoot — we’re from the same area and played in the same conference, so we all know of each other. Now we’re starting to get in touch more.
On what a college is going to get out of him as a player:
“Man, hopefully I can get on the field early. I’m going to work hard to play as a freshman, and after that, I’ll just let God decide what happens.”
On the schools involved in his recruiting process:
“I have a top eight: Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, and Illinois.”
On his official visit date:
“We’re looking at June 5th — I actually set that up today.”
Recapping his overall experience:
“It was great. You know, it was my first time being down here, and I didn’t really expect too much, but it blew me out of the water, I’m going to be real.”
“The campus is beautiful, the facilities are beautiful, the coaches are great—it was just an overall great trip.”
On what stood out watching Miami practice:
“It was intense—very intense. Every coach was locked into the drills and really invested in the players, putting in time and energy. It was very physical. You can tell Miami is getting back to what they used to be.”
On his relationship with the coaching staff:
“I’d say my relationship with them really started back in January. That’s when they began recruiting me heavily. Now that I’ve made it down here, I think it’s on the rise and it’s just going to keep getting better as we talk more every day. Coach Cristobal, Coach Lewis, and Coach Taylor—they’ve all been great.
On current players he has a relationship with:
“Me, Justin Scott and Marquise Lightfoot — we’re from the same area and played in the same conference, so we all know of each other. Now we’re starting to get in touch more.
On what a college is going to get out of him as a player:
“Man, hopefully I can get on the field early. I’m going to work hard to play as a freshman, and after that, I’ll just let God decide what happens.”
On the schools involved in his recruiting process:
“I have a top eight: Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, and Illinois.”
On his official visit date:
“We’re looking at June 5th — I actually set that up today.”
