EKU QB Parker McKinney Shows UK Why NFL Scouts are Interested in Him

Vicky Graff Photo

Parker McKinney has thrown for over 10,000 yards in his collegiate career and Eastern Kentucky coach Walt Wells told us on WPBK-FM that 27 of the 32 NFL teams had been to Richmond to look at him in preparation for the 2024 NFL draft.

Against Kentucky on Saturday the EKU senior showed why NFL scouts are interested even in a 28-17 loss to the Cats.

He was 19 of 29 passing for 219 yards and one score with one interception against a Kentucky defense that many think could be among the best in the SEC. He also had a 14-yard touchdown run where he eluded tacklers.

“I mean, he’s an All-American. The guy is a good player. He does a great job when you are in his face. Do you know what I mean? He is like a magician, you are in his face, and he buys time and, you know, can get rid of the football,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said after the game.

“They have good schemes. There are things that they do that are good, you know, and one of the reasons why they have had such good seasons.”

Wells certainly was pleased but not surprised by how his quarterback played.

“I think Parker showed he belongs. I think a lot of people question that, I think last week proved it and this week solidified it. I know there are a lot of people who come in and ask those questions, is he an NFL star? Well, I don’t know, I’ve never seen that coached in the NFL,” Wells said.

“I’ve coached against guys who have started in the NFL. Some of them he’s probably not as good as, but a lot of them he very much is. He’s so calm, cool, and collected, and played so much football and he understands our offense.

“Some of the plays he makes out there are just like somebody playing in a backyard, and sometimes you got to do that, and you got to be able to do those things. I was proud of Parker and his playing today.”

McKinney said he was proud of how the Colonels played coming off a 66-13 season-opening loss at Cincinnati. Eastern Kentucky led 7-0 late in the first half. He said EKU did not have the “identity” it wanted last week but “played the way we should play” against Kentucky.

“It shows a lot about our players and our coaches not to dwell on the past. I mean we got beat by 50 points or something against Cincinnati and then to come in here and play against a really good Kentucky football team, who’s going to win a lot of games, and play the way we did and have a game where it could’ve come out on the other end,” McKinney said.

The Eastern quarterback said Kentucky’s defensive front put constant pressure on him but felt his offensive line played well.

“I was definitely feeling them for most of the game and I think also contrary to that the offensive line, they had some mismatches, and we knew that going in. I think the offensive line really played a great game for us. With that being said, I mean their defense was getting pressured, but our offensive line I also think played great,” McKinney said.