321preps Dandy Dozen: Michael Parkes headed to Cyclone country
Bayside High's Michael Parkes started his football career just three years ago when he was a freshman.
After gaining more knowledge and skills for the game, Parkes heads into his senior season ready to make the another big jump on the field.
"He is seeing the fruits of his labor of buying in, taking the coaching, taking the corrections, and working on his craft and becoming a better player," Bayside head coach Corey Broomfield said. "He is really the prototype of what I would love all my players to be."
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He is one of 12 Brevard County senior high school football players on FLORIDA TODAY's list of the area’s most highly sought recruits, the 321preps Dandy Dozen.
Parkes plays wide receiver for the Bears and is committed to play football for Iowa State University. He said there were a few things that stood out to him about the Cyclones' program.
"Basically, the coaches and the people around, they got a great brotherhood and a great atmosphere. Just a great everything," Parkes said.
Several other major college football programs also made offers to the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder, including Indiana, Mississippi, Pitt, Utah and West Virginia.
Last season Parkes had 40 catches for 852 yards and eight touchdowns, including a 60-yard punt return.
"He is a very, very explosive athlete and he has strong hands," Broomfield said. "One of the things you will notice when you watch his film is his ability to attack the ball and track the ball in the air and obviously his speed."
Not only does Parkes play football, he also sprints during track and field season.
Parkes said he will continue to work on sharpening his route running in his last season for the bears. Once he joins the Cyclones, Parkes already has an idea of what he may want to major in.
"Training, like personalized training," Parkes said. "I like to workout so its like a good choice."
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 321preps Dandy Dozen: Michael Parkes of Bayside
