Parker talks in-depth of visit

Jacob Parker, junior quarterback at Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville, Ala., visited Liberty University this past weekend. Accompanying Parker on his trip to Liberty, included his little brother and two family friends, both whom graduated from the University. This was Parker's third visit to Liberty since the summer.

"We drove up there the night after our game Friday, and we got there Saturday morning," he said. "I've been talking to Liberty a few times. One of my coaches used to play there, that is how they know about me."

Although Liberty struggled in their game, they were able to pull off a 35-28 win against Gardner-Webb.

"It was their homecoming week," Parker said. "They played Gardner-Webb. It was a pretty exciting game. They were losing at first, but made a comeback. They started off slow, but they came back towards the end and played well and ended up winning."

Parker has netted several connections among the coaching staff at Liberty and met many more while he was there.

"There were about 10-20 other recruits there," Parker said. "It seemed like they were concerned with everyone. It was real beneficial."

The class of 2014 prospect took the time to tour the campus, as well as meet the coaching staff.

"During the tour, I met the strength coach, defensive coordinator, and the running back coach," Parker said. "We toured the football facilities, sky box, and press box. I have met several of the coaches before.

"Carl Torbush is the recruiting coach for my area. He is also the assistant coach and linebacker coach. I talked to him after the game. He asked how our season is going and told me to say hello to my head coach for him. He knows my head coach.

"Coach Torbush use to assistant coach at Alabama. His son played for my head coach for a year at American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa. He told me that I could come back whenever I wanted to and he would set us up again next time.

"After the game I talked to the linebacker coach and my former teammate, Austin Kaigler. He is a redshirt freshman up there up now. He plays running back. He showed us around a little. The rest of the weekend we just hung around campus and ate at restaurants nearby. We just enjoyed the campus and took a tour; saw the dorm rooms and classrooms."

Parker found no dislikes during his visit. Both the campus and the coaching staff were on his list of favorites.

"I loved it up there," he said. "I can't think of anything I don't like. I could see myself playing up there.

"My favorite thing was the coaching staff. They seemed like a good group. That stuck out the most. The coaches seemed like good Christian guys. I like them a lot. I have no complaints from talking to them so far. Austin Kaigler seems like he loves them too.

"They told me to try to come back to another game this year and to make sure I attend the camp in the early summer. I'm not sure if they have a spring camp, so it will probably be in the summer."

The Liberty facilities and stadium impressed Parker.

"The facilities were really nice," he said. "I like that they have one of the largest football-only weight rooms; that's real nice. The stadium is pretty nice. Over the next year, they plan on expanding the stadium by 15,000 more seats. It currently holds about 35,000. They want to do that by the end of the 2013 season. So it will hopefully be completed and bigger by the time I get up there. When I was there this weekend, the stadium was almost completely filled."

Parker is unsure as to when he will make it for another visit.

"There is a chance I will go back to another game this year," he said. "That's not a for sure thing yet. That's the only other plans I have right now."

Westminster Christian Academy will go on the road this week to face Madison Academy.