Parsons stock is on the rise

The first offer was more than exciting for Spring Branch (Texas) Smithson Valley offensive tackle Thomas Parsons. It was what this sleeper prospect called a "big relief."

Parsons, the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder, has been picking up more and more interest since impressing at several combines early in the year. He found out this past week that Oklahoma State was putting the first offer on the table. Now, attention is coming from numerous schools around the country and he's looking to start taking more trips before a summer-time decision.

"First of all, [the offer] was a big relief to me," Parsons said. "I wanted to break down that wall. I was really excited. Finally, somebody is noticing my hard work."

Parsons says that as exciting as the offer was, it certainly wasn't expected.

"That came out of left field," Parsons said. "I'm very pleased with the way OSU went about it. I do want to hold off as far as committing until my timeframe around July 25. I would like to have a decision made by the end of July."

Upcoming visits that Parsons plans to take includes stops at Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and LSU.

"I'm going to attend a lot of those camps," Parsons said. "I just want to get myself noticed and show my abilities."

At one time, Texas A&M was the clear leader for Parsons. Today, he says he's trying to keep his options open before his big schedule of trips.

"It's pretty wide open right now," Parsons said. "Any school that wants to offer a full ride, I'm ready. I'm going to take a serious look at any school that offers me that."

Though it was Parsons hard work that earned him all of this attention and his first offer, he says that several others made it happen.

"I have to thank my personal trainer Pete Rivas," he said. "He really helped me."