Wayshawn Parker flashed a grin and soaked in the buzz around him as reporters surrounded him after his first fall camp practice at the University of Utah.
The sophomore transfer from Washington State missed most of spring ball while recovering from a minor surgery, but has been full-go since the start of fall camp.
Parker’s big smile in response to a question about his health said it all — he’s back and feeling good. But he didn’t stop there. He used the moment to make a confident, public statement about his goals for the upcoming season.
“It’s been great,” Parker said of returning to full health. “I mean, the surgery that I had to bounce back from, [made me] hungry for [the season]. I’m ready to go again.
“I’m ready to go for 1,500 yards or so. I want to touch that 1,000-yard mark for sure.”
(Young Kwak | AP) Washington State running back Wayshawn Parker (21) carries the ball against Utah State, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Pullman, Wash. Parker has announced his commitment to the University of Utah.
Last season, Parker fell short of 1,000 yards with Washington State. He finished with 137 carries, a team-high 735 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The running back ultimately ended up in the portal this offseason after former WSU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and starting quarterback John Mateer left for a bigger stage at the University of Oklahoma.
Parker opted for a different route, though. He joined former Washington State and now-Utah running backs coach Mark Atuaia in Salt Lake City. In the spring, Parker described his relationship with his coach as a “father-and-son” type of bond.
Trust in Atuaia was a big factor in his decision to join Washington State and, ultimately, the Utes this offseason, even when USC, Ole Miss and Tennessee came knocking. It now has the Richmond, Calif., native confident and ready to take the next step in his career.
When Parker called Carl Reed, his head coach at Grant Union High School, last winter to tell him he was transferring to the Utes, Reed was not surprised.
“Coach [Atuaia] really took to him and really believed in him,” Reed told The Salt Lake Tribune. “A lot of this is about relationships. And I think when he hit the portal, obviously every school in the country saw what he did as a freshman, but I think in the end, it came down to relationships.”
The running back bet on relationships when he transferred to Grant Union High in Sacramento for his senior year in 2022. Reed needed a running back, and Parker answered the bell. He finished the season with 1,907 yards and 24 touchdowns.
“Honestly, it was kind of just fate,” Reed said. “He was playing for a club team at a seven-on-seven tournament, and it kind of came up to where he was interested in transferring. He knew a lot of the players on our team, so I think he saw an opportunity.”
Reed envisions Parker taking a similar step in Salt Lake, and he’s already shining in fall camp.
In a highlight reel posted on X, Parker could be seen barreling over several Utah defenders before reaching pay dirt. It’s just a small glimpse of what the running back wants to do this season.
“He’s a load,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said of Parker. “He’s got great contact balance. He is tough to get down, and he is a guy that runs behind his pads. He’s got good pad level, and he’s a north-to-south guy.”
While having his goal of hitting 1,500 rushing yards this season, Parker also has a laundry list of things he wants to improve on.
“I want to break more tackles and be able to make big plays,” Parker said. “When I’m not getting a ball, I want to block and make sure my quarterback [Devon Dampier] is protected.”
According to Atuaia, Parker entered camp physically ready to take on that challenge.
“He looks really good,” Utah’s new running backs coach said. “He’s a lot stronger. He was just a baby last year. He was just out of high school. He’s now getting that, what they call, man strength. He’s there. I’m excited to see what he does here in camp, and then moving forward into the season.”
Whether or not Parker can hit his personal mark is yet to be seen.
Only three Utes — John White, Devontae Booker and Carl Monroe — have surpassed 1,500 rushing yards in a single season.
Reed isn’t betting against his former protege.
“He’s just a special kid,” Reed said. “I don’t doubt it with him. If he gets his touches, he’s going to do it.”