Before looking up the prospects I analyze on Rivals or ESPN, I make sure I watch an extensive amount of game film first, allowing for my opinion to be my own and free from outside influence. After watching hours of film on Parker Eichenberger, I’ve come to the conclusion that he might be one of the biggest TE steals of this recruiting season. With a 6’4” frame and weighing in it 230lbs. it’s incredible to see Eichenberger shed defenders with finesse that is usually reserved for receivers and running backs. This kid is way better than the 3 stars tacked on to him.
The first thing that caught my eye about Eichenberger was his ability to move around on the field. 230lbs. Is pretty big as far as high school athletes go, so when you see the kid keeping up with and passing much smaller, supposedly more agile DB’s, it’s hard not to be impressed. Eichenberger also has soft hands for a TE, he catches and controls the ball with the grace of a well-seasoned NCAA vet. But what’s truly impressive about Eichenberger and what I consider his biggest selling point, is his ability to absolutely crush defenders he blocks. While watching film on Eichenberger it’s not uncommon to see him take the defender and plant him 6 or 7 yards down the field. He possesses a leg drive that many offensive linemen only dream of having, when he locks on to you it’s pretty much game over. The more I watch Eichenberger the more he reminds me of a young Jason Witten, both are formidable athletes in their own right but what makes them both “different” is their hardnose style of play.
I was hard-pressed to find something I didn’t like about Eichenberger. But after watching a couple more hours of film on him I did notice something that could hamper him greatly at the next level, if not harped on early in his college career. Eichenberger’s get off speed from the line is probably the most lack-luster part of his game. It takes him a while to get his first two steps in the ground and this could cost him with the high level of speed demanded by the next level. Even then, while his initial get off might leave something to be desired, his effort and will power definitely make up for it in the latter part of the play.
Like I said at the beginning of this article, I think Parker Eichenberger might be one of the biggest steals this year at the TE position. Coach Naivar at Houston should be giving himself an enormous pat on the back for locking this kid down. It will be fun to watch Eichenberger progress in his time at the U of H. Defenses of the AAC, you’ve been warned.
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Nice article. One correction, Coach Naivar moved to UT along with Coach Herman. James Casey is now the Tight End coach at Houston and has been doing most of the recruiting of Eichenberger since the previous staff departed.