MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A third member of the Bluefield class of 2020 has accepted an opportunity to play Division I football. Rising senior kicker and punter Kaulin Parris has accepted a preferred walk-on offer at West Virginia.
“Every time I went to West Virginia, it has always felt like home. The relationship I have with the coaches is just unreal. It all feels right,” Parris said.
Parris attended a camp at WVU in June and received the offer shortly after.
“I have always grown up dreaming of playing at a Division I school. It is such a blessing because many kids don’t get this opportunity and I am very grateful,” he said.
Parris was the Class AA all-state first team kicker in his junior season. He connected on all six field goal chances last fall and was successful on 69-of-71 extra point opportunities. Parris’ longest successful field goal in a game is from 44 yards and in practice he has connected from 64 yards.
WVU has been successful in building walk-on kickers through the program. Both of last year’s starters, kicker Evan Staley and punter Billy Kinney, joined the Mountaineers as walk-ons.
“They said to come in here with a clear mind and be ready to compete. Anything can happen.”
Parris received a walk-on offer from Virginia Tech and had scholarship opportunities at in-state Division II schools. But he says the opportunity to play for a team he has followed since childhood was too good to pass up.
“I have been a Kentucky fan in basketball, but for football I have always been a WVU fan. It is awesome that I will get an opportunity to play for my home state.”
Bluefield teammates Sean Martin (North Carolina) and J.J. Davis (Toledo) have accepted scholarship offers. Fellow senior Jahiem House also holds an offer from Toledo.
“It is crazy growing up with these kids and our goals have all been the same. All the work we have put in and our dedication has all paid off. We are doing it for our fallen soldier Lil’ Tony (Webster). We are trying to make him proud.”
Webster was a classmate and teammate who passed away during an offseason workout in January.
After falling in the Class AA state championship game last season to Fairmont Senior, Parris will be a key part of a Bluefield team that is one of the favorites to return to Wheeling this December.
“I can’t wait. We have been working so hard. It is the last ride for us seniors and we have to make it count.”
