Monday Night Football College Spotlight: Willie Parker

Every Monday night, I’ll be highlighting one of the game’s players’ college careers, so stop back every week to check out some “back in the day” stats about current NFL players. For more in NFL football news, check out b5’s Every Morning Quarterback.

Tonight’s Spotlight: Willie Parker

Current Team, Number, Position: Pittsburgh Steelers, 39, Running Back

Current Stats: Near the end of last season, he broke his leg, so he’s been sharing time with Rashard Mendenhall and other players.

In the first game of the year, against the Texans, he rushed for 138 yards and a career-high 3 touchdowns – and that was before he was pulled out (along with a number of other starters) at the end of the 3rd quarter. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

College: North Carolina

Draft: Undrafted in 2004

College Highlights: Parker was criticized for being inconsistent in college, and he was also on the small side. UNC Coach John Bunting didn’t play him much after his first year. He entered the draft in 2004, but wasn’t drafted even though he could run the 40 in 4.21 seconds. He went to the Steelers as an undrafted free agent.

I love an underdog success story!

Pictures via Newscom.