Bryan Parker, Demetris Lane wake up FAMU defense
Bryan Parker
FAMU football coach Rubin Carter has been a big fan of Bryan Parker for a long time - longer than Carter's been at FAMU. When the Rattlers' third-year coach was the defensive-line coach at Temple in 2004, he sought out the 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker when he was an all-county player at Randlestown, Md.
When Carter left the Philadelphia university for Tallahassee, Parker decided to join him.
After a one-year stop at Arizona Western Junior College, where Parker had 105 tackles and one interception, he arrived at FAMU in the summer of 2006.
Now he's eager to demonstrate that Carter knew what he was doing when he recruited Parker three years ago.
Parker is stationed in the middle of the defense, alongside preseason all-conference linebacker Vernon Wilder. The two are the Rattlers' play-callers, expected to stop the run and help out on pass coverage. Wilder sees plenty to like in his understudy.
“Bryan's coming along,” Wilder said. “He's going to get a lot of playing time year. He's fast, strong, good intensity on the field. He's got the total package, too.”
With offensive lines focused on Wilder, Parker may be a Rattler making plenty of noise in 2007.
He showed promise last season. In his debut for FAMU, Parker recorded four tackles versus Delaware State in the season-opener in Detroit. He had a season-high six tackles against Hampton, finishing the season with 18 tackles, including nine solo tackles.
Parker expects to be on the field considerably more this season.
Offensive tackle Justin Delancy holds Parker in high regard. He said the junior may be one of the hungriest defenders at FAMU.
“(Parker) likes to get after the ball,” Delancy said. “He's a very aggressive player.”
Demetris Lane #63
Bryan Parker
FAMU football coach Rubin Carter has been a big fan of Bryan Parker for a long time - longer than Carter's been at FAMU. When the Rattlers' third-year coach was the defensive-line coach at Temple in 2004, he sought out the 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker when he was an all-county player at Randlestown, Md.
When Carter left the Philadelphia university for Tallahassee, Parker decided to join him.
After a one-year stop at Arizona Western Junior College, where Parker had 105 tackles and one interception, he arrived at FAMU in the summer of 2006.
Now he's eager to demonstrate that Carter knew what he was doing when he recruited Parker three years ago.
Parker is stationed in the middle of the defense, alongside preseason all-conference linebacker Vernon Wilder. The two are the Rattlers' play-callers, expected to stop the run and help out on pass coverage. Wilder sees plenty to like in his understudy.
“Bryan's coming along,” Wilder said. “He's going to get a lot of playing time year. He's fast, strong, good intensity on the field. He's got the total package, too.”
With offensive lines focused on Wilder, Parker may be a Rattler making plenty of noise in 2007.
He showed promise last season. In his debut for FAMU, Parker recorded four tackles versus Delaware State in the season-opener in Detroit. He had a season-high six tackles against Hampton, finishing the season with 18 tackles, including nine solo tackles.
Parker expects to be on the field considerably more this season.
Offensive tackle Justin Delancy holds Parker in high regard. He said the junior may be one of the hungriest defenders at FAMU.
“(Parker) likes to get after the ball,” Delancy said. “He's a very aggressive player.”
Demetris Lane #63
Demetris Lane has proven he can be patient.
Now he's ready to show the FAMU defensive coaches - not to mention the Rattlers' fans - that he can be a force to be reckoned with at defensive tackle.
Lane, who lettered in both football and wrestling at Pace High School in Opa-Locka, played in just four games last year as a red-shirt freshman.
“I just had to wait my turn,” Lane said.
When it was his turn in 2006, the 6-2, 295-pounder was plenty prepared. He made his first start against Morgan State and promptly recorded seven tackles, including two for losses.
Senior offensive tackle Justin Delancy, Lane's counterpart in FAMU practices and scrimmages, has seen marked improvement in Lane's ability to fend off double-teams.
“When (Lane) first came, I thought we were able to get him pretty good with our double-teams,” Delancy said. “He's gotten a lot better at taking on double-teams.
“In the spring he was taking on the double-teams really good. It's getting a little tough to get him now.”
Delancy is impressed with Lane's mobility, especially considering Lane's size.
“He's real agile, got good feet,” Delancy said. “He comes off the ball real hard.”
Head coach Rubin Carter likes Lane's passion. He said Lane plays with the zeal Carter wants all his players to have.
“Demetris is a hard worker. He plays with a lot of excitement and emotion,” said Carter, a nose tackle in the NFL for 12 years. “I think a lot of the other players feed off his emotion. That's a good thing.”
Lane relishes the opportunity to be an every-down performer for the Rattlers.
“I'm in a real good spot to be in,” he said. “I redshirted my freshman year and my redshirt freshman year I played behind some people.
“Now it's my time.”
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