Derek Parish
Toronto Argonauts
Position:Defensive lineman
Personal information
Born: (1999-01-04) January 4, 1999 (age 25)
Pearland, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Pearland
College:Houston (2017–2022)
NFL draft:2023 / Round: 7 / Pick: 240
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Derek Parish (born January 4, 1999) is an American professional football defensive lineman[1] for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Houston.

Early years

Parish was born on January 4, 1999, and grew up in Pearland, Texas.[2] He attended Pearland High School and played football while also running track.[3] Despite being named first-team all-district after posting 12.0 sacks in 2016, Parish was not highly recruited, not even placing on Rivals.com's and ESPN's rankings and being a three-star prospect.[2][3][4] He committed to play college football for the Houston Cougars.[5]

College career

As a true freshman at Houston in 2017, Parish redshirted.[6] Although recruited as a linebacker, his position was quickly changed to defensive end.[4] He appeared in all 13 games the following year, totaling 21 tackles.[7] He played 12 games in 2019, starting four while posting 38 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks.[7] In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Parish played in all eight games, five of which he started, and tallied 25 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, and 3.5 sacks, the latter two statistics ranking third on the team.[7] Against South Florida that year, he returned a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown.[8]

In 2021, Parish started all 14 games and was named second-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) after recording 56 tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks.[9][10] At the start of 2022, he underwent hip surgery and later surgery for a broken bone on his hand, the latter requiring him to play with a club on his hand.[2] He was named team captain and in the second game of the 2022 season, against Texas Tech, Parish set the AAC record with 4½ sacks, additionally posting 6.5 tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble, afterwards being named the national defensive player of the week.[11][12] However, he then suffered a season-ending torn bicep injury in the fourth game of the year.[13] He had posted 20 tackles, 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles-for-loss through that point of the season, ranking third-best nationally in the latter two.[13] Parish was able to return in time to play in the East–West Shrine Bowl, at which he changed his position from defensive end to fullback.[4]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+7⁄8 in
(1.85 m) 		241 lb
(109 kg) 		29+1⁄4 in
(0.74 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.62 s 1.60 s 2.60 s 4.07 s 6.76 s 37 in
(0.94 m)		 9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		 27 reps
All values from Houston Pro Day[14][15]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Parish was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round (240th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.[16] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[17][18] He was released on October 16.[19]

Toronto Argonauts

On January 22, 2024, it was announced that Parish had signed with the Toronto Argonauts as a defensive lineman.[20]

Personal life

Parish won an eating competition between his Cougars teammates by eating 7 lbs. (3.175 kg) of steak in one sitting.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Derrick Parish". jaguars.com.
  2. ^ a b c "NFL Draft Profile: Derek Parish, EDGE, Houston Cougars". Sports Illustrated. September 29, 2022. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Smith, Brian T. (September 14, 2022). "UH's Derek Parish turns chip on shoulder into stardom". Houston Chronicle.
  4. ^ a b c Brugler, Dane (April 10, 2023). "The Beast: 2023 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  5. ^ "Derek Parish". 247Sports. Archived from the original on December 5, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  6. ^ Sellers, Robert (July 18, 2018). "Pre-Camp Spotlight: Linebackers". 247Sports.
  7. ^ a b c "Derek Parish". Houston Cougars. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  8. ^ McCool, Ben (November 14, 2020). "Houston Cougars dominate USF Bulls, 56-21". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Duarte, Joseph (August 19, 2022). "Houston's Derek Parish has what it takes to carry Cougars". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  10. ^ Erby, Glenn (September 2, 2022). "2023 NFL Draft: 15 players to watch during the Houston vs. UTSA matchup". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  11. ^ James, Da'Leon (September 13, 2022). "More hardware for Houston's Derek Parish, named Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week". Dave Campbell's Texas Football.
  12. ^ "Derek Parish, EDGE, Houston". CBS Sports. April 29, 2023. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Helwick, Steve (September 26, 2022). "Houston star DE Derek Parish out for season with torn bicep injury". UnderdogDynasty.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "Jaguars select Derek Parish with No. 240 pick in 2023 draft". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  15. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Derek Parish College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  16. ^ Stites, Adam (April 29, 2023). "Jaguars draft Houston FB Derek Parish with No. 240 pick". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  17. ^ Oehser, John (August 29, 2023). "Roster Reduction: Jaguars Move Towards 53 Players". Jaguars.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  18. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Announce 13 Additions to Practice Squad". Jaguars.com. August 30, 2023.
  19. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign CB Amani Oruwariye to Practice Squad, Release OLB Derek Parish". Jaguars.com. October 16, 2023.
  20. ^ "Argos add defensive lineman Derek Parish". Canadian Football League. January 22, 2024.
  21. ^ Stites, Adam (April 29, 2023). "Jaguars draft pick Derek Parish ate 7 pounds of steak to win a contest". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.

External links

Toronto Argonauts current roster
Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL draft selections
Categories