Matt Geller
Sports Scene
When one is 6’4” tall and weighs 248 pounds, ‘quiet’ and ‘reserved’ aren’t usually the first words that come to mind as a description.
But when describing East Lansings’ two-way standout Parker Underwood (TE/ DE), the two fit together like peanut butter and jelly.
“This season, I’m really trying to work on being more of a leader” Underwood said. “I’m a quiet guy, but Coach Feraco wants me to be more vocal this season.”
Underwood has been hard at work this summer, in hopes of helping East Lansing improve on its 5-5 season of 2013. He has an offer to play for Western Michigan University, and there has been no summer break for this future Bronco. “We have been in the weight room five days a week, followed by conditioning” he said. “Everyone on our team wants to be better than last year, and you can tell by how hard we have worked.”
Adjusting to college life shouldn’t be too difficult for Underwood. Being so close to Michigan State University helps, and the fact that his grandfather, Clarence Underwood, served as the athletic director for the Spartans helps, too.
“My grandparents definitely had a big impact on me growing up” Underwood said, “ They took me to all of the games and I knew then, that I wanted to play college football.”
Underwood knew Western Michigan was a perfect fit for him at the next level. “The biggest thing that attracted me about Western Michigan was they told me I would have an opportunity to play right away.” Underwood added , “I also received an offer from Toledo, but Western Michigan was first, and I’m big on loyalty.”