The BYU Cougars kick off the 2025 season in 11 days against Portland State. As we continue counting down the days until kickoff, today we will profile the player who wears No. 11 - redshirt junior wide receiver Parker Kingston - by providing three interesting, fun facts:
Fun fact No. 1 - He may have produced BYU's play of the year in 2024
There were a number of magical moments in BYU's outstanding 11-2 season in 2024. Perhaps none were more electric than Parker Kingston's memorable punt return touchdown against Kansas State. After initially muffing the punt, Kingston produced one of the ultimate "No, no, no, YES!" moments in BYU history.
As for me, when I think back on last year's 11-2 campaign, the two highlights that immediately come to mind are Will Ferrin's game-winning kick against Utah, and Parker Kingston taking it to the house against Kansas State.
Fun fact No. 2 - He's BYU's double-pass weapon
Coming out of Roy High School, Kingston was an insanely talented athlete. He played a dual-threat quarterback role in high school and threw for 2,649 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 2,136 yards and 33 touchdowns. His former life as a quarterback has served him well as BYU's double-pass expert when Aaron Roderick draws up trick plays.
Over his 26 career games with the Cougars he has attempted five passes, completing three of them. Oh, and all three completions have gone for touchdowns.
Fun fact No. 3 - He's going to need to develop into a big-time wide receiver
Over the last two seasons Kingston has been a consistent part of BYU's offense, but not a difference maker as a receiver. In all the redshirt junior has 32 career receptions for 403 yards and two touchdowns.
With the departures of Keelan Marion (transfer) and Darius Lassiter (NFL), the Cougars need Chase Roberts to play at an all-conference level with Parker Kingston demonstrating he can have a 40-reception, 500-plus receiving yard season. He has both the talent and the experience to blossom into a solid wide receiver. He'll also have every opportunity to do just that in 2025.