Husky Roster Review: Parker Played Well, Should Be Better With Brother

On the first day of 2022 fall practice, every University of Washington football player dropped down on the ground to get stretched out or stretch out someone except for Jayvon Parker.

With an odd number of guys in uniform that day, Parker, a freshman from Detroit, was left standing alone, looking around helplessly, until a quality coach ran over to partner with him.

This doesn't happen anymore for two reasons, He's a veteran defensive tackle who showed he could play right away, appearing in eight games, and this enabled him to draw widespread respect and get acquainted with everyone.

And that other thing?

Parker has his twin brother Armon back in a football uniform, never far from him, often lining up next to him, and, yes, stretching him out if needed.

Only twins really know how this goes, but often they share sort of a cosmic connection. If one brother is hurting, the other feels it. If one sibling is missing, the other seems a little lost, too.

When college football began for them in Montlake, Jayvon Parker initially had to go it alone because Armon injured a knee at home coming down wrong while playing basketball, needed surgery and missed the season.

Going down the roster from No. 0 to 99, this Parker, who wears No. 94 all to himself, is next up in a series of profiles about each of the Huskies' scholarship players and assorted walk-ons, summing up their spring football performances and surmising what might come next for them.

Jayvon Parker comes with a stunt move set up by his brother Armon during spring practice.

Brothers Armon and Jayvon Parker run side by side in Husky Stadium, along with the departed Siaosi Finau and Bralen Trice.

The Parkers, Armon left and Jayvon right, go head to head in Dempsey Indoor during spring ball.

Jayvon Parker, after playing eight games as a freshman, burned his redshirt season while his brother sat out injured.

Armon and Jayvon Parker leave UW spring practice together, as inseparable twins.

The twins Armon and Jayvon Parker get into stances in spring ball in Dempsey Indoor.

Jayvon Parker has a playful moment during his first season in Montlake.

The Parkers weren't heavily recruited because they transferred schools while the pandemic was winding down.

For the most recent 15 spring practices, Jayvon and a fully recovered Armon Parker were practically inseparable. They took and left the field together. Went head to head in drills. Played side by side in scrimmages.

They were whole again, noticeably happy, sharing in spring ball.

"Jayvon, because of his experience continues to take off," UW coach Kalen DeBoer said. "Those guys are super tight. They're brothers. They're twins. It's been fun seeing them both on the field and thrive and get better."

The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Jayvon Parker comes off his breakthrough season looking to repeat it, planning to share in it with his brother.

Two Parkers, two happy and healthy Parkers, should be better than one for the Huskies. They're at their best when they are being disruptive at the same time.

"This year we're just going to do it together," Jayvon Parker said.

JAYVON PARKER FILE

Service: This Parker got on the field for 8 games, often with them on the line, and burned his redshirt season, which was a badge of honor for a freshman. He and cornerback Jaivion Green were the only first-year players who went over the 4-game limit.

Stats: Jayvon finished with 5 tackles and collected a sack in the Apple Cup against Washington State. There's no turning back.

Role: The Parkers, if healthy, should play a lot this coming season. They're strong, powerful players, family-oriented.

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