Kai Parham

The race to be the top prospect in Virginia this season is a dead heat between two of the nation's top four linebackers: Kai Parham and Ahmad Brooks. At this time I'm going to give the nod to Parham because Brooks did not play his junior year due to an ankle injury. However, when completely healthy, the 6-3, 230-pound Brooks of Woodbridge-Hylton may be the most devastating linebacker in the nation. If he is not, that honor could go to the extremely aggressive, smart and quick-footed Kai Parham (6-3, 230, 4.58) of Virginia Beach-Princess Anne.

Watching No. 44 on film, I was amazed at his speed to the ball, instincts and ability to play off blocks and find the ball carrier. If NFL scouts were to draw up a picture of how a big-time linebacker should look, Kai Parham would fit the bill. Blessed with tremendous size, speed and strength, he has proven to be a dominator over the past couple of years and the most destructive defensive force in the Tidewater area. In 2000 he recorded 140 tackles, 18 QB sacks and 30 tackles for losses, and for his effort he was awarded First Team All-State honors. He also played fullback on offense, rushing for over 500 yards and 10 TDs despite only 45 carries.

Not only is Parham exceptional against the run, he also shows the fluidity and body control to effectively drop back into the passing lanes. There isn't much this young man can't do on the football field. The Tidewater region is one of the most heavily recruited areas in the country, and that's the reason why Kai has already received over 60 scholarship offers, and from just about every major school. To top everything off he's got a solid GPA and test score. So who wouldn't want a 6-3, 230-pound linebacker with a 35-inch vertical; who bench-presses 410 pounds and squats 530; and who is also an honor-roll student?

The question is not who would want him, but who is going to wind up with him. When I recently spoke to Parham, he has narrowed his list to eight schools (in no particular order): Virginia, FSU, Stanford, Notre Dame, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Florida and Tennessee.

Tom Lemming is editor of Prep Football Report. For information on how to subscribe to Prep Football Report's three yearly magazines and five newsletters ($60 for the magazines and $90 for both magazines and newsletters), fax your name, address and fax number to 847-842-1313 or write to P.O. Box 59113, Schaumburg, Ill. 60159. For year-round recruiting updates, call Tom Lemming's Prep Football Hotline at 900-860-9888. Calls are $1.79 per minute, and callers must be 18 years old or have parents' permission.