Branch, Parker to Compete in All-Star Games
January 10, 2002 | Football
Jan. 10, 2002
Just when they thought the season was over, seniors Deion Branch and Zek Parker will find themselves donning the pads once again when they represent the University of Louisville in post-season all-star football games.
Branch, a two-time All-Conference USA First Team and 2001 Sporting News All-American Third Team selection, will represent the South squad in the Senior Bowl to be held on January 26 at 3:00 p.m. (EST) on ESPN from Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
In two years at U of L, Branch proved to be a favorite target of quarterback Dave Ragone, who earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Years honors both of Branch's years as a Cardinal. This past season, Branch tallied 1,088 receiving yards, just 21 shy of the league single-season mark, on 72 catches, including nine scoring strikes. The Albany, Georgia, native also earned Offensive Player of the Game honors at the AXA Liberty Bowl after pulling down six catches for 88 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown, in a 28-10 victory over BYU.
Parker, a wide receiver and kick return specialist, will represent U of L at the East-West Shrine Game to be held on January 12 at 12:30 p.m. (EST) on ESPN2 from Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco.
Parker ended his collegiate career as Conference USA's all-time leader for kickoff returns (103), kickoff return yards (2,558) and kickoff return touchdowns (3). A second team All-Conference USA selection as a return specialist in 2000, Parker, a native of Athens, Alabama, was named the league's top return man in 2001 after returning 21 kicks for 483 yards and a score. He also nabbed Electrifying Play of the Game honors at the AXA Liberty Bowl after returning the opening kickoff 71 yards to setup the Cards' first score.
