Jacob Parrish swiftly developing into lockdown corner for Wildcats

MANHATTAN, Kan. — After tying for third in the Big 12 with four interceptions last year, the Kansas State cornerback is approaching his junior season with more confidence and hunger.

Jacob Parrish wants to build off his breakout campaign from 2023, and he’s taking the necessary steps to become an elite defensive back. After all, Parrish is establishing himself more as a leader in the locker room, he’s dieting better and helping the younger players in the secondary get up to speed in fall camp.

There’s no denying his coverage skills are impressive, and he knows what it takes to be a dangerous ball hawk. Parrish has ambitions of leading the Wildcats in interceptions again, and that’s why he’s taking better care of his body with healthy dieting. From eating Chipotle, to drinking protein shakes, Parrish is bulking up his frame and enjoying the results.

“That’s the most important thing for me is just maintaining my weight, and being able to compete with bigger guys, so I feel like this will help a lot being at 200 pounds,” Parrish said. “I got pretty stronger, and much faster with that weight.”

The former three-star prospect has the speed, and natural instincts to lockdown the opposition’s top wideout. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents on the gridiron. Parrish will square off against some high-caliber Big 12 receivers this season like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Oklahoma State’s Brennan Pressley, Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins.

The Kansas native is up for the challenge though. Parrish is having fun battling against wideout Keagan Johnson in practice, and the intensity is bringing out the best in him. Bonding with teammates is vital to having chemistry on the field, and Parrish wants Kansas State’s secondary to be a close-knit group. Parrish even joined the Leadership Council over the winter to help him be more vocal to his peers.

Despite the loss of Kobe Savage, the secondary returns some studs in Marques Sigle and VJ Payne, which should make the unit a strength for the defense. Parrish understands the responsibilities of being a veteran of the group, and he’s embracing being a voice in the huddle.

“When I first got here I played as a freshman, but I didn’t feel comfortable speaking out in front of the team, so I feel like I had to earn respect,” he said. “Now I feel like I’ve earned that respect to be able to call people out, and be that leader.”

Parrish carries himself with swagger, and has no problem sitting out on an island waiting for the action to come his way. Reading the quarterback’s eyes is key, and Parrish knows when to strike. That’s how he picked off two passes at Texas. Parrish also hauled in an interception in victories over UCF and NC State.

Opposing quarterbacks will likely avoid throwing in his direction, which in return should open up more opportunities for Parrish’s teammates to make a play on the ball. He feels very confident in the overall value that the cornerbacks bring to the defense.

Parrish is high on Justice James and the way he’s working in practice. He also appreciates the work ethic from Jordan Dunbar, Kanijal Thomas and Donovan McIntosh. Which is why he can’t wait for them all to make an impact this fall.

“I feel like we got a pretty deep group, they’re young, but I feel if they were put out there they would be able to make plays for the team.”