Jacob Parrish: Kansas State Cornerback Rising Up 2025 NFL Draft Boards
The Kansas City Chiefs recently hosted their local pro day, offering NFL hopefuls a chance to showcase their skills. While many of the athletes in attendance are considered long longshots to make it onto an NFL roster, one name stood out among the rest: Jacob Parrish, a standout cornerback from Kansas State. Parrish is not only a local product but also a serious contender to be selected in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft—potentially as early as Day 2.
Hometown Roots and College Career
Jacob Parrish hails from Olathe North High School in Kansas and joined the Wildcats in 2022 as a three-star recruit. Since then, he’s become a fixture in K-State’s secondary, starting 24 games over the past two seasons. His college résumé includes:
- 102 total tackles
- 5 interceptions
- 5 tackles for loss
- 0.5 sacks
His performances caught the attention of scouts, leading to an invitation to the prestigious Senior Bowl. There, he held his own against elite talent, further boosting his draft stock.
Impressive NFL Combine Showing
Parrish turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine with exceptional athleticism. He ran a blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash and posted a 37.5-inch vertical leap — numbers that solidified his status as one of the draft’s more athletic defensive backs.
Despite measuring just under 5 feet 10 inches, his speed and explosiveness have made him one of the more talked-about cornerbacks entering the draft. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked him as the 67th-best prospect overall, meaning he could come off the board in the second or early third round.
On-Field Traits and Film Study
Parrish’s tape tells an intriguing story. One of the best indicators of a great college corner is how infrequently they are tested, and in 2024, quarterbacks largely avoided throwing his way. Much of the action against K-State occurred on the opposite side of the field — a testament to his lockdown ability.
He generally lined up as an outside corner, but due to his size, NFL scouts project him to shift to the slot at the next level. This move could open up opportunities for him to blitz off the edge, a role he wasn’t frequently asked to play in college but could thrive in thanks to his speed.
Toughness in Run Support
Despite being undersized, Parrish is not afraid of contact. Film shows him making savvy reads and aggressive plays in run support, even against bigger running backs like Arizona’s Cam Skattebo, a likely mid-round pick himself.
In one standout play, Parrish correctly diagnosed motion as a decoy and immediately stepped up to help stuff Skattebo at the line. That type of play recognition and willingness to tackle are essential for any cornerback hoping to play in Steve Spagnuolo’s system in Kansas City, which requires physicality from its DBs.
Challenges Against Larger Receivers
Still, Parrish’s size does show up at times — particularly against tall, physical wideouts. In a game against Arizona State, Jordyn Tyson (6’1”) made a high-point catch over him that Parrish couldn’t realistically contest. This play highlighted one of the limitations he’ll face at the professional level.
However, even when beat on the catch point, Parrish stays composed and wraps up well as a tackler, avoiding further damage — a skill some corners lack.
Penalty Concerns and Physical Play
Another downside of Parrish’s physical playing style is a tendency to draw penalties. In 2024, he was flagged four times in coverage. These included both clear infractions and borderline calls — a risk that comes with his aggressive approach.
Yet, this trait isn’t uncommon for players who compete above their size, especially against taller receivers. And, if used primarily in the slot, he may be able to reduce his exposure to those types of mismatches.
Fit in Kansas City? Complicated, But Not Impossible
On paper, the Chiefs don’t have a glaring need for another slot cornerback. They recently signed former Chargers DB Kristian Fulton to help shore up the boundary, allowing standout Trent McDuffie to remain in the slot, where he’s excelled. McDuffie can play outside in a pinch, but Kansas City’s staff clearly prefers him inside when possible.
Parrish is even smaller than McDuffie, which would make him a less-than-ideal candidate for boundary duty. Additionally, Jaylen Watson, Chamarri Conner, and Christian Roland-Wallace all provide some slot coverage ability, giving the Chiefs flexibility already at the position.
Still, there’s a catch: injuries. Watson and Fulton have missed a combined 19 games over the last two seasons. Depth is always at a premium in the secondary, and Parrish could offer valuable insurance — especially as a developmental piece early in his career.
Draft Strategy: Value Over Immediate Fit
The Chiefs have made it clear in recent years that value often outweighs positional need in their draft philosophy. Picks like linebacker Leo Chenal and safety Jaden Hicks weren’t immediate needs when selected but have become integral parts of the team’s rotation.
If Parrish is available late in the third or fourth round, the Chiefs may view him as too talented to pass up — even if he doesn’t solve an urgent problem.
Final Outlook
Jacob Parrish isn’t without his flaws, but he brings a rare mix of speed, smarts, and toughness to the table. He may not be a plug-and-play outside cornerback due to his size, but he projects as a reliable slot defender with upside in coverage and on blitzes.
His willingness to do the dirty work and make sound football decisions makes him a natural fit in any physical, scheme-diverse defense — including Kansas City’s. If the Chiefs believe they can refine his technique and cover up size deficiencies with creative usage, Parrish could be yet another mid-round gem to blossom in red and gold.
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